1.2 Purpose of this waste assessment - Waikato District Council

• Agriculture, energy and dairy opportunities• Environmental Fertilisers are also not far away (Kerepehi)• Reuse is important – maximise access to unwanted household goods, and by doing so, create jobs,income, and make life easier for low-income families (note that this links strongly to education)• Resource recovery centres in all small towns i.e. Tuakau, Ngaruawahia, and Huntly – should be forewaste, whiteware and C&D waste at least.Economic development• When contracting for services, need to consider the total cost/value of the contract – ie not necessarilybest price, but best value. Comment that contracting services to international companies is likeexporting ratepayer dollars• Council procurement policy – the council could set an example through what they spend their moneyon [The council does do this but does not publicise it]• ‘power the farm’ – small-scale windpower, anaerobic digestion and feed back in to the national grid?Latter would also produce bio-product which could be spread.Education• Need an enabling policy for new technologies – consents and funding• Look at publications that could be used• Important to bring ‘the people’ on board and raise awareness• “What’s in it for me”: free power, less costs, great compost• Need a composting programme along the lines of ‘create your own eden’• Definitely need to advertise the benefits• Look at the barriers – eg rats and turning compost heaps for organic waste.Responsibility• The council should work together with community groups to deliver educationA.4.5.3 Group 3 – workshop notesSpecial wastes• Could have special collection days – good model systems are available e.g. hazmobile• E-waste and tyres also waste streams that need managing.Transfer station development• Transfer stations are important – need to become better focal points for the community, and provideleverage for new opportunities i.e. beneficial re-use.Illegal landfilling• Need to get it out of the ‘too hard’ basket• Be more proactive.Cleanfills• Traceability is important.A.4.6ConclusionThe purpose of workshop was to hear the communities’ views on priorities for waste and recycling in theWaikato district, and on specific areas that will be fed in to the waste assessment process. The outcomes ofthis workshop will inform the waste assessment for the district, and this is a foundation document for thendeveloping a waste management and minimisation plan.Waikato District Council waste assessment 201167