Dunedin City Council

Location: Otago, South Island
Population: 118,143

Nestled amongst rugged hills, at the head of a harbour of breathtaking beauty, Dunedin City covers 3,350sq km. It is a University City of Scottish Heritage with a rich and diverse cultural life.

Dunedin has many of the nation's finest Victorian and Edwardian buildings and is world acclaimed for its rare wildlife perhaps the most famous being the magnificent Royal Albatross and the rare Yellow Eyed Penguin.

For many years Dunedin has promoted waste minimisation to residents.

In 1992/93 Dunedin undertook an extensive consultation exercise that resulted in the development of the Solid Waste Strategy, identification of the existing landfill site for suitable upgrading and a future alternative landfill site located south of the city at Smooth Hill.

In 1995 a computerised weighbridge system was installed at the Green Island Landfill. This installation enabled DCC to collect data on volumes going to landfill for disposal and those being diverted away from landfill through the recycling centre at Green Island landfill.

In October 1999 Dunedin City Council passed a resolution to join the National Zero Waste Pilot Programme.

In partnership with Zero Waste New Zealand Trust, Meritec Ltd and Waste Not Ltd, Dunedin City Council is currently developing a Waste Minimisation Strategy - Zero Waste to Landfill by 2015.

The strategy is being reviewed in conjunction with the previous 1997 strategy and the New Zealand Waste Strategy to form a new waste plan for Dunedin that takes into account all factors while being mindful of the need to include the social, cultural and sustainability factors.

Small Vehicle Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre

The Small Vehicle Transfer Station and Resource Recovery Centre at Green Island Landfill opened on the 28th June 2002.

All small vehicle customers now use the Transfer Station, which allows for more effective management of the disposal area at the landfill face, which is only open to large commercial vehicles.

The Resource Recovery Centre is an exciting development for this facility. Dunedin City Council was awarded $25,000 for this facility from Zero Waste New Zealand Trust, as a 'model resource recovery centre'.

While recycling facilities are currently available, access will be improved and more Transfer Station customers are making use of the more convenient layout and are recycling.

New customers have started to use this facility as it is becoming an 'attraction' with the popularity of the new 'RECOVER store' which provides customers the opportunity to 'drop and shop' reuseable items while at the Transfer Station. A huge array of reuseable goods passes through the store. The store is also the point of sale for the landscape supplies that are available onsite for sale including compost that has been made from greenwaste brought to the site for recycling.

Another exciting development in this complex will be the eventual reuse of the previous gas reticulation building as an education centre with attached compost demonstration garden including the development of an interactive waste time tunnel.

Land has also been set aside in the plan to develop a large vehicle transfer station if required and a Zero Waste Park area for the future development of incubator waste minimisation businesses.

Educational visits are provided to schools, kindergartens and community groups, both in the classroom, out in the community and can include tours to the Green Island Transfer Station.

Advertising on radio, local TV and in print media is also a key activity to encourage the citizens of Dunedin to understand and become more involved in the management of waste.

The next exciting development for Dunedin City is the introduction of kerbside recycling on 'Triple 03' (3/3/03).

Further information on Dunedin City Council waste minimisation activities can be found at www.cityofdunedin.com/city/?page=docs_recycle_compost  or contact the Waste Minimisation Officer at: recycle@DCC.govt.nz