Waste Minimisation in New Zealand
A Discussion Document from the Ministry for the Environment

The discussion document Waste Minimisation in New Zealand was publicly consulted on from March to May 2009.  The purpose of the discussion document was to seek feedback on policy proposed to implement the Waste Minimisation Act 2008.  As part of the consultation process, we asked for feedback on five topics:

1. revised targets for the New Zealand Waste Strategy
2. identifying products that are priorities for product stewardship
3. identifying funding criteria for the Waste Minimisation Fund
4. monitoring waste in New Zealand
5. improving the operation of the waste levy.

Submissions closed on 15 May 2009 and a total of 249 submissions were received.  View the summary of the submissions document here. The submissions received are being taken into account in each of the five areas as follows:

• Part 1: Revising targets for the NZ Waste Strategy
  The Ministry is reviewing the New Zealand Waste Strategy 2002 so that the Strategy is up-to-date and aligned with the Government’s goals to achieve waste reduction and safe waste disposal.  Under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 territorial authorities must have regard to the Strategy when developing their waste management and minimisation plans, so the revision will ensure the Strategy is relevant and workable.  The revised Strategy will be completed in 2010 and further information on the revised Strategy will be posted on the Ministry’s website once Cabinet approves the Strategy for release.
• Part 2: Identifying products that are priorities for product stewardship
  The Ministry is encouraging industry to take the lead on product stewardship by supporting industry-led, non-priority product stewardship schemes.  A Guide to Product Stewardship for Non-priority Products and application details for accreditation of product stewardship schemes is available.  Applications for accreditation of non-priority product stewardship schemes opened on 1 December 2009.   Further work on identifying priority products will be addressed in the Ministry work programme over the coming years. 

• Part 3: Identifying funding criteria for the Waste Minimisation Fund
  Criteria for the Waste Minimisation Fund were announced by the Minister for the Environment in October 2009.  A Waste Minimisation Fund Guide for Applicants for projects commencing 1 July 2010 and further information about how to apply to the Waste Minimisation Fund was released on 1 December 2009. Applications for the first round of applications to the Fund were received by the Ministry for the Environment from 1 December 2009 to 1 March 2010. 

• Part 4: Monitoring waste in New Zealand, and
• Part 5: Improving the operation of the waste levy
  A voluntary waste composition trial was completed with 11 disposal facility operators during 2009.  Information gathered through this trial will help to inform further policy work in this area.  The Ministry will be investigating the use of cover material at disposal facilities during 2010, as we have limited information about the types and quantities of material being used.  Supporting guidance on the levy and cover material was released to waste disposal operators in June 2009 and improving monitoring, procedures and systems will be an ongoing process.  The Minister will conduct a review of the effectiveness of the levy by 1 July 2011.