1.2 Purpose of this waste assessment - Waikato District Council

may be some self-management of waste on farms.National experience suggests there may be issues specifically with this customer group relating to agriculturalchemical containers, silage wrap, and on-site disposal or burning of wastes.The lack of reliable information on farm waste in the district and its potential impacts suggests a potential futurework area to ascertain any significant issues and what responses, if any, are appropriate.One of the areas that has received little attention and which may be important for further investigation is thatof dairy shed effluent. Waikato is a major centre for dairy farming and dairy shed effluent wastes can createissues such as leachate and eutrophication of waterways and distribution of pathogens. Dairy shed effluent ishowever an ideal ingredient for processing in Anaerobic Digestion (AD). Once processed through AD energycan be recovered and the output can be used as a soil amendment for pasture without the same risks togroundwater, water ways and soil. There may be opportunities for development of on-site digesters or localfacilities that can take tankered material from several sources.6.2.7 Communication and educationWhile the council does undertake waste minimisation communication and education activities, any of the aboveareas are likely to require increased effort in this area to ensure that the community understand why actions arebeing taken, and to discourage unwanted behaviour such as illegal dumping.Waikato District Council waste assessment 201141