War on waste moves into higher gear

For immediate release: Friday 16 July 2004 The Bay of Plenty’s war on waste has moved into a higher gear with the adoption of a regional waste strategy by Environment Bay of Plenty.

The new Bay of Plenty Regional Waste Strategy sets tough targets for reducing the region’s waste stream and challenges the regional community to adopt a “Zero Waste” stance.

“Waste is not the most glamorous of issues,” admits Environment Bay of Plenty’s strategic policy chairperson, Lorraine Brill. ”So it’s sometimes quite hard to get people involved in solutions. However, it is extremely important. If we don’t get a handle on waste, it will impact more and more strongly on the environment and the quality of life in the region.”

The strategy was put together with the help of local district and city councils and gives Environment Bay of Plenty’s perspective on waste. It promotes the sustainable, integrated management of waste, hazardous substances and contaminated sites in the region. It covers waste in all its forms, solid, liquid and gas, and contains a programme of actions.

Because it is not a legal document, the strategy’s success relies on the commitment of Environment Bay of Plenty, city and district councils and the community.

“We know that an average Bay of Plenty resident produces a tonne of waste every year,” Mrs Brill says. “Our landfills are filling up and they are a precious, finite resource.” People can “do their bit” by recycling, composting greenwaste, and by watching what they buy to reduce packaging.

For a copy of the Bay of Plenty Waste Strategy call Environment Bay of Plenty on 0800 ENV BOP (368 267). It is also on Environment Bay of Plenty’s website on www.envbop.govt.nz.

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