The Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance has slammed Auckland Council’s $36 million Food Scrap Bin programme following reports of overstated environmental benefits relative to the scheme’s high cost, and incomplete emissions accounting.

“Aucklanders shouldn’t be forced to pay for virtue-signalling when the maths doesn't actually stack up” said Sam Warren, a spokesman for the Auckland Ratepayers’ Alliance.

“Greenwashing has ratepayers paying tens of millions of dollars each year, when the same amount of carbon saved would cost far less under the ETS. Why not just buy carbon credits or plant trees?”

“Meanwhile, only one third of households actually use the bins, despite everyone having to pay for them. Why was there not an opt-out option, especially for Aucklanders who already compost?”

“Other councils like Whanganui have recently cottoned on to the fact that the numbers didn’t make sense, deciding not to commit to the programme back in March.”

“As for Auckland, either the Council didn’t care enough to do the proper analysis—or simply wanted to be ‘seen to be green’, as opposed to actually being effectual from both an environmental, and ratepayer, perspective.”

“Better transparency shouldn’t need to be wrestled out of Auckland Council. If they really believe their numbers make sense—show us. Otherwise, it’s time for a discussion as to whether this incredibly expensive virtue-signal can continue to exist.”

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