Zero Waste: The Rangitikei Employment and Development TeamThe Rangitikei Employment and Development Team (RED Team) is a collaboration that began in December 2000 with an approach to WINZ (Central Region) to provide a basic learner driver's licence course for local people who were finding it difficult to obtain a driver's licence. Pressure for change was put on the Rangitikei District Council through the Annual Plan submission process and attitudes are beginning to change. In July three members of the RED Team travelled to Kaitaia and other places of interest to see firsthand how other communities were recycling, reusing and reducing the waste flow to landfills. Following these visits Cliff Colquhoun of CBEC (Community Business Environment Centre) in Kaitaia spoke to the Rangitikei District council and toured various waste facilities in the Rangitikei and Ruapehu Districts. He wrote a Rangitikei Recycling Business Proposal and 3-year budget, which was presented to the Rangitikei District Council at the end of September 2001. In early September, the RED Team, in conjunction with Russ Louden (a Zero Waste Advisor), hosted a 'Recycling Expo' in Taihape and Marton to show local people the possibilities for recycling. Contact: William Abraham |