Construction and demolition waste, mobile phones and white ware could get a second chance at life, with an upcycled approach to how we manage waste across the Western Bay.

Now is the chance to share your views on whether the proposed plan to take the district's management of waste to the next level is on the right track, with Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan - WMMP.

The plan, wich is reviewed every six years, is a commitment to continue improving the way that Western BOP's waste is managed and to achieve the mission of minimising waste that goes to landfill.

The draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan includes:

• Six key themes including education, infrastructure, collaboration and leadership, monitoring and reporting, regulations and services. 
• Some clear objectives and an action plan for the next six years, along with targets to measure progress and a plan for funding. 
• A proposal to establish an annual contestable fund to provide community grants for local waste minimisation initiatives.

“We’ve achieved so much in the last six years and a lot has changed in our environment at the same time, and so we’re committed to moving with the times, the community and its needs,” says Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Policy Analyst, Charlotte McGirr.

“Now’s the time to build on success such as our kerbside service, mobile recycling trailers and waste education, and make it easier for our community to do even more. 

“We want to explore providing you with even better services like looking at what waste infrastructure we need, what additional services will best help our communities deal with waste they’ve told us is an issue, setting up community grants for local waste minimisation initiatives and so much more."

Council has received lots of great community feedback about waste already through the Your Place Tō Wāhi consultation process, held earlier this year, says Charlotte.

"People have shared their views particularly about the challenges to dispose of green waste, e-waste, soft plastics and large inorganic items.

"The issues raised have been incorporated into the draft Plan, with a commitment to investigate and implement alternative options.

“People told us that there’s a pressing need for more waste infrastructure within the Western Bay of Plenty, not just for residential waste but for construction and demolition waste, and we’re planning for that too.”

It’s not a waste of time for all of us to dump our old ideas about waste and start to make some small changes, adds Charlotte.

“That might be taking a couple of extra minutes to sort out your food scraps, or dispose of your summer holiday bottles.

It’s definitely not a waste of time to share your feedback on this plan, as that’ll make sure we can put actions in place that will the community and future generations.”

According to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council’s Policy Analyst, Charlotte McGirr, The draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan is aligned with the New Zealand Waste Strategy, Te rautaki papa. Which sets the national direction for how make, use, manage and dispose of things.

“We’ve made some great progress over the last six years, and there’s a way to go.”

“Long term we will work towards becoming a zero waste circular economy, where materials are kept in use, but we recognise there are multiple steps to get there,” says Charlotte.