5 July 2005

Approval for Waitakere’s Vertical Composting Unit

One of the largest cities in Wales is set to take a tip from Waitakere’s approach to recycling green waste.

Councillor John Haigh, Cabinet Member for Environment at the City and County of Swansea was impressed with Waitakere City’s Vertical Composting Unit which produces stabilised compost/mulch*.

“Wales in general has a problem with waste, so much goes to landfill and in Swansea we have one of the best recycling rates in Wales – 20 percent. But 80 percent goes to landfill. We can’t continue doing that. What I’m seeing here today is a recipe for increased recycling of green waste,” says Councillor Hague.

An independent member of a 72-member council, Mr Hague is one of a 10-member cabinet. His Environment portfolio includes coastal paths, marina berths, waste, technical services and planning.

At Waitakere’s Refuse Transfer Station, Mr Hague and three fellow Lions supporters Clarence Thorne, Geoffrey Clement and Dr Paul Brookes were greeted by a trio of Waitakere councillors, Deputy Mayor Carolynne Stone, Councillor Janet Clews (Chairperson of Finance and Operational Committee), Councillor Penny Hulse (Chairperson of City Development), Manager of Solid Waste Jon Roscoe, representatives of VCU Technology Chairman Tony Gledhill and CEO Mark Templeton.

* The production of compost/mulch from green waste taken to the Refuse and Recycling Station is contracted to Perry Waste Services. The product is a "stabilised mulch" - mulch which has gone through the initial composting process, but has not yet turned to compost. It is stabilised in the sense that it will no longer generate heat.

ENDS

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