10 January 2012

Young people pick up on Auckland’s waste problems

Auckland Council’s draft waste plan was the inspiration behind a competition aimed at getting young people involved in tackling Auckland’s waste issues.

Local youth organisation, Innercredits, held the competition encouraging young people to comment on the plan.

Their combined contribution is one of the 622 public submissions already received on the draft waste plan. All Aucklanders have until 31 January to make their voice heard on the plan.

Manager for Infrastructure and Environmental Services, John Dragicevich, says there has been a great response from Aucklanders to the draft waste plan.

“So far, over 600 submissions have been made by people throughout Auckland. We’ve made a huge effort to encourage people from all walks of life to get involved, and it’s fantastic to see motivated young people, in particular, stepping up to have their say.”

The ‘Help stop Auckland from being rubbish’ competition was organised by young people involved in Innercredit’s 2011 volunteering trip to Indonesia and America. Innercredits aims to inspire young people to do good things in their communities.

The group compiled a joint submission by using social media and local networks to encourage other young people to share their thoughts on the draft waste plan.

The competition, which closed in late December, rewarded the best ideas’ contributor with registration and spending money at the 2012 Summer Jam – a week-long workshop for youth on environmental and social initiatives run by ReGeneration.

The winning entry from Riane Ross (17) included: “Collection refunds could be effective. Teenagers buy a lot of bottles/cans and collection refunds would be a brilliant way to encourage recycling as it offers a reward and teaches them the importance of recycling at the same time.”

All Aucklanders are invited to make a submission on the draft plan before 31 January 2012. Submissions can be made online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wasteplan. The draft plan summary and submission form can also be downloaded, or picked up from a local board office, council service centre or library, and submissions returned by freepost.

• At 10 January 2012, 622 submissions have been received on Auckland Council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan

• Information is available, and submissions can be made online at aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/wasteplan. To view a short video on the draft plan visit www.facebook.com/aklcouncil. The draft plan, summary and submission form can also be downloaded or picked up from a local board office, council service centre or library, and forms returned by freepost.

• The draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan summary is available in simplified Chinese, English, Korean, Maori, Samoan and Tongan.

• More about Innercredits at www.innercredits.org

• More information about the ReGeneration 2012 Summer Jam www.regeneration.org.nz/summer-jam

ENDS

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