MEDIA RELEASE

May 15, 2002

Garden rubbish coupon system ends

Auckland City is phasing out its green.cycle garden-rubbish coupons because few ratepayers have been using the system.

The coupons were introduced last July to encourage people to sort and recycle their garden rubbish.

However, less than half of ratepayers are using their coupons, making the ratepayer-funded $2.5 million scheme an expensive waste-reduction option.

Ratepayers were given six coupons to subsidise garden-waste collection services or for discounted composting facilities, such as compost or worm bins.

No further coupons will be issued this year. Last year’s coupons can still be used, but the council says new users should phone around registered garden-rubbish collectors to ensure they get the best deal.

The council says people who have used their coupons should contact their chosen garden-rubbish collector, either to continue the service privately or to end it.

The coupon system was introduced at the same time as the switch from 240-litre to 120-litre wheelie bins as part of the council’s efforts to halve the amount of rubbish going into landfills within three years.

Works committee chairperson Bill Christian says the scheme has been only marginally successful in attracting new garden-rubbish recyclers. He believes most ratepayers using the scheme were already recycling their garden rubbish before the coupons were provided.

“It has not been the success we had wanted,” Councillor Christian says. “The coupons were supposed to be an incentive to attract new users, but they have not achieved the results we had hoped for. It’s a disappointment.”

PeopIe who need more information can phone Auckland City on 379 1350 or visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz.

ENDS

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