Media Statement
For Immediate Release

2 September 2007

Waste Minimisation

We have an urgent need to develop a waste minimisation plan that will see us through the next 50 years.

Our reliance on using landfills long term is not the environmental answer to waste because they emit high levels of carbon and impact on our communities’ well being. We have got to phase them out.

Our council needs to undertake a study of workable “waste to energy” options for the city. We presently draw methane energy from our landfills but we need to do more than this. Combustion technology is one option that looks very promising and worth following up. I am particularly keen to identify ways we can more efficiently dispose of our waste and at the same time harness its potential energy as a by-product.

In addition I will lead an assessment of the options for a green waste recycling scheme to be implemented in our city. We need to set a target to eventually reduce our waste stream by 50%.

Waste minimisation is a crucial element of moving Manukau forward as clean, green city and a leader in carbon reduction. I am committed to clearing our increasingly polluted air and streams.

Developing efficient and environmentally sustainable waste disposal systems will be a gift to our children into the future.

ENDS

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