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re:source

Rethinking Waste Potential

Issue 2, INFO 386
February 2009

Welcome to the second re:source newsletter

re:source will keep you up-to-date with the progress we are making implementing the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and developments being made in the field of resource efficiency.

If you have any feedback or questions for the Waste Minimisation team about re:source or any other waste-related topics please email us at: waste@mfe.govt.nz

If you’ve received re : source directly from the Ministry for the Environment, you are already a subscriber. If you are not the original recipient you may subscribe. 

In this issue:

Progress on implementing the Waste Minimisation Act

This year looks set to be a busy one for the Waste Minimisation team at the Ministry for the Environment with the implementation of the Waste Minimisation Act being our top priority.

  • Information on how the Act affects you

We are developing a series of two-page information sheets so parts of the Act which affect our key stakeholders can be easily identified and located. The information sheets will be available on our website in mid-March.

  • Public consultation – discussion document and public workshops

We will be releasing a discussion document ‘Waste Minimisation in New Zealand’ next month and would like your feedback on five key areas including:

  • changes that should be made to targets in the New Zealand Waste Strategy
  • product stewardship priorities for the Government
  • criteria to assess applications to the Waste Minimisation Fund
  • information required to monitor the effectiveness of the waste levy and other waste minimisation activities
  • administrative and other details that affects the operation of the waste levy.

Written submissions will be accepted until 5.00 pm on Friday 15 May 2009. Your submissions will be considered as we develop the programme of work covered in the discussion document.

We will hold public meetings around the country in late March and early April 2009 to provide information about the proposals in the discussion document. The dates and venues of these meetings will be released in March. 

  • Guidance for territorial authorities – waste management and minimisation planning

We will be releasing guidance for territorial authorities on waste management and minimisation planning in May 2009. The guidance provides advice to territorial authorities on developing effective and efficient territorial authority waste management and minimisation plans. The guidance has been developed with the assistance of a working group of territorial authority waste officers, Local Government New Zealand representatives, and other experts in the area of waste management and minimisation planning.

  • Accreditation process for product stewardship

Part two of the Waste Minimisation Act outlines a proposal to encourage industry to establish voluntary product stewardship schemes to reduce the environmental impacts of products during and at the end of their life-cycle. Product stewardship is when producers, brand owners, importers, retailers, consumers and other parties take responsibility for the environmental effects of their products – from 'cradle-to-grave'.

The Government will look at accrediting schemes which have passed a formal assessment against the criteria in the Act and have been audited by Ministry representatives.

The process and supporting documentation for accrediting product stewardship schemes will be trialled this month. We will be consulting with industries affected before guidelines are finalised late in 2009.

Recycling in New Zealand

New Zealand’s recycling infrastructure, maintained by councils and recyclers, is an important part of waste minimisation in New Zealand. However, due to the recent drop in the price of recyclables stockpiling or sending materials to landfill have started to seem like viable options, but neither of these are long-term solutions.

We are encouraging all affected parties – councils, recyclers, reprocessors and manufacturers – to work together to find alternative solutions and markets for New Zealand’s recyclable materials.

Diversifying our markets for recyclable resources is the key to minimising the effect of the current economic downturn.

For industry: Voluntary product stewardship schemes are encouraged. Rethink how products are designed to ensure their impact on the environment is minimal, throughout their lifecycle – from production to disposal.

For more information about product stewardship visit the Sustainable Business Network website: www.sustainable.org.nz  or the New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development website: www.nzbccsd.org.nz

For councils: When you revise your waste management and minimisation plan try to set up your strategies in partnership with local industry and recyclers that support your community.

Guidance for territorial authorities on waste management and minimisation planning will be released near the end of May 2009.

Get involved: The Packaging Council is hosting a meeting to discuss product stewardship schemes concerned with packaging waste. Send along a representative to raise issues that are affecting your community or business.

Time and date: 9:50 am – 12.30 pm, Thursday 26th February
Venue: AUT Technology Park, James Fletcher House, 585 Great South Rd, Penrose, Auckland.

Interwaste launches household CFL recycling scheme

nterwaste has announced the introduction of a new household recycling service for compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). Following the success of their Australian service, Interwaste is offering New Zealand households prepaid boxes (sold on the Interwaste website) that hold around 15 CFLs. Once the boxes are full they can be dropped off at any NZ Post branch, to be couriered to Interwaste for processing.

Interwaste National Sales Manager, Derek Richardson says, “transport costs have been a major barrier to many recycling initiatives in New Zealand but we think the prepaid box provides a great step in offering the recycling solution to anyone who is interested in doing the right thing environmentally.”

For more information visit: www.interwaste.co.nz

Best practice guide for cleanfills

In December 2007, the Ministry commissioned a national survey of solid waste disposal sites (cleanfills), organic waste processing facilities, and used tyre management practices. The survey highlighted inconsistencies in cleanfill waste disposal and a need to determine best practice processes for cleanfill waste in New Zealand.

As a result, we have developed a reference guide for territorial authorities that outlines the protocol for establishing and managing cleanfills in New Zealand. The guide is based on the lessons learnt from territorial authorities and operators and will include two case studies which address:
cleanfill bylaws and the resulting monitoring framework
strict consenting and monitoring practices.

Workshops will be held in March 2009 in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin to gather feedback on the draft guide. The completed guide is expected to be published by June 2009.

To register your interest in the workshops or for further information please contact David Wilson at david.wilson@mfe.govt.nz

WasteTRACK: the Ministry’s liquid and hazardous waste tracking system

Nearly half of New Zealand’s territorial authorities have now signed up to Waste TRACK, the Ministry’s liquid and hazardous waste tracking system. The system provides a framework to ensure liquid and hazardous waste is transported safely to approved treatment facilities.

WasteTRACK provides a reliable and economical tracking system for the waste management industry. The likelihood of environmental damage from illegal discharge is lessened by monitoring and tracking liquid and hazardous waste.

The WasteTRACK database can be used by businesses that operate in accordance with the Liquid and Hazardous Waste Code of Practice, or are required to use it to comply with local council trade waste bylaws.

The information WasteTRACK gathers is also used to develop policy on waste management.

The Ministry currently contracts the administration of WasteTRACK to Liquid Systems Limited.

For more information about WasteTRACK, please contact Tushara Kodikara, tushara.kodikara@mfe.govt.nz, jennifer@liquidsystems.co.nz, or to view the benefits of participating, visit: www.wastetrack.co.nz 

Staff profile – Helen Bolton

Helen Bolton is a Senior Adviser in the Ministry’s Waste Minimisation Implementation team. She is the Project Leader of the Waste Minimisation Fund team and is the subject matter expert for product stewardship.

Helen is a specialist on e-waste (including the international Basel Convention) and mercury containing lamps, and is a New Zealand representative on PACE (Partnership for Action on Computing Equipment).

Helen’s achievements at the Ministry include establishing the IT and TV product stewardship working group, helping to facilitate the national e-Day events, and mentoring new staff.

Fisher & Paykel recycling day

Fisher & Paykel are running free whiteware recycling days, aimed at helping rid New Zealand homes of old and unwanted appliances. With tens of thousands of appliances sent to landfills each year, the recycling days will mean the public can recycle any brand of appliance in a convenient and environmentally friendly manner at no cost.

Collection points will be in three centres: Auckland (Saturday 7 March), Wellington and Christchurch (both Saturday 28 February).

For more information visit:
http://www.fisherpaykel.co.nz/global/about-us/the-environment/recycling.cfm