Western Bay of Plenty District Council

Location: Bay of Plenty
Population: 38,016

The Bay of Plenty landscape ranges from the steep bush covered slopes of the Kaimais, the foothills and fertile and coastal plains, to the harbour estuaries and ocean beaches. This diverse landscape combined with a favourable temperate climate, provides an area rich in resources such as indigenous flora and fauna, highly versatile soils, rivers and harbours.

The Western Bay of Plenty District's economy has been based on food production for many years. In the main urban centres, industrial and commercial businesses have adapted to meet the needs of horticulturalists and lifestylers as well as those of pastoral farmers. Cooperatives have been established by various primary producer groups to process and market their product, both nationally and internationally. Much of the Western Bay of Plenty Sub-region manufacturing output is based on processing of primary production, such as timber, fruit, meat, wool and dairy products.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council's adopted a Zero Waste Target in September 2001.

Council is actively involved in all facets of solid waste from education to promoting sustainable resource recovery solutions. Of particular merit is the commitment to working with industry and waste generators to better determine waste streams, recovery options and acceptable but reliable waste management systems and processes.

The main areas of activity are:

• School education programmes on waste minimisation, recycling etc
• Updating of Bylaws
• Licensing of Recycling operators (to obtain better data)
• Proposed commitment (contingent on ratepayer support) for investigations and programme development of:

1. Cleaner Production - including audits of selected industries in conjunction with EBOP
2. Waste Minimisation
3. Hazardous Waste Identification - in conjunction with EBOP

• Review of Waste Management Plan in 2005
• Consideration of subsidised recycling initiatives and resource recovery centres (subject to ratepayer approval)
• User pays kerbside recycling in urban areas

For further information contact Ted Anderson, Utilities Manager at eja@wbopdc.govt.nz  or call 07 571 8008 or check out www.wbopdc.govt.nz .