Together Towards Zero Waste And A Circular Economy

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) has today released its draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) and is asking the community to have its say during the public consultation from today until 30 June, with the ambitious goal of creating a waste-free future for our district.

After being adopted for consultation by Council yesterday, the draft WMMP outlines a bold vision to move together towards zero waste and a circular economy. The plan focuses on an approach that avoids waste altogether by changing our behaviours, or manages waste and used materials better with the right tools, services, and facilities.

As part of developing the draft, QLDC hosted stakeholder workshops and a public webinar in September 2024. Input from these sessions helped shape the priorities and actions outlined in the plan.

“We’ve worked with key groups in our community to shape a new direction for how we respond to the waste challenges in our district. Council has an important part to play in leading this work, but minimising our waste will require our community to work together, collaborating on opportunities and making change happen," said Cllr Gavin Bartlett, QLDC Infrastructure Committee Chair and member of the waste working group.

Although legislation requires Council to write the WMMP, the plan will only be successful if everyone in our community works together to make it happen.

“Changing the story of how our district’s waste is minimised or managed relies on working together on innovative but achievable solutions. This WMMP is a draft, and we invite everyone to provide feedback on whether you think these are the right actions to take, together,” said Sophie Mander, QLDC Strategy Planning Manager (Waste Minimisation).

The plan is updated every six years under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and outlines how the district will manage and reduce waste. Since the 2018 plan was adopted, progress has included a new three-bin kerbside collection service, boosted public education, introduced community composting hubs and the annual Waste Minimisation Community Fund, and furthered a commitment to a future kerbside organics collection. Partnerships with local organisations including Wastebusters, Sustainable Queenstown, and Wao have also been key to helping reduce waste.

“Progress has been made, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Sophie. “This is a crucial opportunity for the community to help us define the next chapter.”

Community members can explore the plan and contribute further via an online engagement platform. Various public engagement opportunities will also be held over June.

For more information and to have your say on QLDC’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, visit https://letstalk.qldc.govt.nz/

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