24 March 2004

Media Advisory

Ward opening conference in Zero Waste push

Green MP Mike Ward will be campaigning for a zero waste society during a visit to Auckland next week.

To both highlight and debate the value of waste minimalisation strategies, Mr Ward will be visiting a major recycling initiative and will appear twice at the Waste Management Conference. Green Party policy is for New Zealand to be a 'zero waste society' by 2020.

"Increasing the effectiveness of recycling and reuse is important but the real challenge lies in dramatically reducing the amount of stuff that we throw away in the first place," said Mr Ward, the Green Party Spokesperson on Waste.

On Monday next week Mr Ward will visit Full Circle, the official recycling partner to dairy cooperative Fonterra.

"Full Circle and similar businesses are in the forefront of the move to recycling, rather than burying, 'waste' and deserve our heartfelt thanks for their efforts.

"However conventional, unsustainable business thinking could lead the recycling industry to believe that their interests lie in an never-ending flow of recyclable material. In the interests of the planet and our lifestyles, I challenge the sector to recognise that their long-term viability actually lies in encouraging the use of products and technologies that are made to last and made to re-use as well as other zero waste strategies. They are in the key position and have the technical expertise needed to bring about the innovations that will lead to these critical next steps."

On Tuesday, Mr Ward will open the 2nd Annual Waste Management Conference with a speech on 'Examining the NZ Waste Minimisation Strategy'. Then on Wednesday he will take part in a panel session with representatives of Ecosafe and the Christchurch City Council titled 'Educating the consumer for better outcomes in waste management'.

Mike Ward's 'Zero Waste' Itinerary, Auckland Mon, 29 March, 2.30-5.00pm: Visit to Full Circle recyclers, 102 Mays Road, Onehunga. Tues, 30 March, 9.10-10.00am: Opening Address at Waste Management Conference, Stamford Plaza. Wed, 31 March, 1.20-2.10pm: Panel Session at Waste Management Conference, Stamford Plaza.

Further Information on the Waste Management Conference at www.conferenz.co.nz

ENDS

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