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Otorohanga District Council
Location: Waitako, North Island
Population : 9660
Otorohanga is located some 50km south of Hamilton in the northern King Country and is the closest town to the famous Waitomo Caves. The area administered by the Council extends from the Kawhia and Aotea Harbours on the west coast to the eastern extremity near Mangakino. Farming is the dominant industry, with sheep and cattle farming in the eastern and western hills, and intensive dairy farming in the central area.
The Otorohanga District is a small but innovative Waikato district. Most of the motorhomes, which you love to get behind, are made there. It is proud of its kiwihouse - the community owned centre was the original research centre and breeding facility for the national icon and still holds the largest collection of kiwi in the world. Also innovative and 'world-famous-in-NZ' is Council's award-winning District Plan. With no zones and only 140 A5 size pages, the plan is effective, truly effects-based and captures the spirit of the Resource Management Act.
We hope that the District will become equally proud of its promotion of sustainability and achievements in the elimination of waste.
Developments in Waste Management
The introduction on Otorohanga's first Solid Waste Management Strategy in 1997 set in motion the evolution of waste management in the district, from merely organising the collection of household waste and burying it in uncontrolled landfills, to the present day achievement of higher environmental standards amid the ever increasing volumes of discarded material.
In the process, free kerbside collection of the basic four recyclables was started in 1997 and the two landfills were closed. They were replaced by the establishment of two recycling centres (only one of which also acts as a transfer station).
The process took an exciting turn in 2000 when Council adopted a policy of Zero Waste to Landfill by 2015.
In August 2002, a workshop of councillors, staff and community board representatives considered a new Solid Waste Management Strategy and Zero Waste plan.
A comprehensive exhibition, with the theme 'Choices', took participants on a journey through the whole spectrum of waste and the issues associated with it, from its composition and costs to the methods of developing awareness and the options available to avoid creating it.
This aspect, the avoidance of waste, took well over half the space, as befits the highest priority in the international hierarchy. Delegates were shown that if we are aware and accept responsibility for the waste we create, then we really do choose how much of it we want to make.
The function of the exhibition was to demonstrate the choices available currently for avoidance but also in separation, both at source and later in community facilities and for diversion.
The tour continued further down the hierarchy, through reuse, both in the commercial sector and domestically and into recycling, with the demonstration of the many materials and products successfully developed and marketed. The journey ended by 'closing the loop' showing the choices available to support the markets for recyclables and sustainability.
The Solid Waste Management Strategy was enthusiastically received by the elected representatives at the workshop, which was addressed by Don Riesterer (who spoke of the developments at Opotiki and their achievements to date) and Peter Fredricsen of Material Processing Ltd, (a large company with extensive contracts serving communities and heavy industries).
Zero Waste Education Plan
Waste awareness is another early focus and will be undertaken through the expansion of the existing schools education programme. With almost all schools in the district already taking part, the programme will encompass everything from biodegradables to a full waste audit and the development of their own policies (including setting targets for reduction and diversion).
Development of waste awareness amongst school students is seen as important as not only will they have their own homes by 2015, but also because at all times in the intervening years they will continue to be the biggest influence on the behaviour of their parents - as McDonalds found many years ago!
Methods
A number of initiatives are planned in each sector producing waste - residential, commercial and industrial, as each has its own characteristics and will respond to differing methods.
The international hierarchy is applied to each with most effort focussed on awareness and avoidance followed by re-use and recycling in descending order.
The initiatives are intended to:~
a) Inform - develop awareness of the choices available
b) Enable - promoting use of the information by providing services and facilities
c) Provide rewards - and incentives for those who take responsibility
Residential Initiatives
In the residential sector there will be ongoing publicity and waste awareness promotion, development of re-use through 2nd chance shops and the collection of an increased range of recyclables (along with a programme to increase participation).
Amongst other things a pilot project at Kawhia will separate the bio stream, that incorporates 50% of residential waste and convert it to beneficial products in the community, rather than cart it 90km to the landfill.
Separating the resources and keeping them in the community will provide the triple bottom line - financial gains, employment gains and an improvement in the environment.
In another development, recycling facilities will be extended to most district residents by the establishment of facilities at rural schools. This fits in with the schools focus on waste and increases their role as community centres.
In-house Waste Policy
The Council will lead the commercial sector by example and use its recently completed in-house waste analysis and Zero Waste plan to show what can be achieved. It covers all Council activities and includes green purchasing, closing the loop, packaging preferences, action in the field, contractors etc as well as the usual office materials diversion targets.
Other commercial sector initiatives will target, for example, the large tourist and hospitality industry, which has good opportunities for waste diversion.
Industrial businesses will also be offered financial and technical assistance with waste audits and advice.
Motivated
After the workshop in August 2002 an enthusiastic and motivated Council resolved that the target date to achieve zero waste to landfill by moved forward to 2010.
Other measures, which will be considered, include further development and enhancement of recycling facilities, an expanded information programme, the provision of increased rewards and further lobbying of central government.
Members felt that, quite clearly, local government is at the end of the waste pipeline and that central government could institute national measures (many of which have been in place overseas for a number of years) which will avoid waste creation and facilitate the diversion and recovery of materials.
For further information contact John Blake at jblake@otodc.govt.nz or call 07 873 8199 or go to www.otorohanga.co.nz.
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