An “education first” recycling enforcement programme is being introduced in Hauraki, to reduce the amount of contaminated recycling heading to landfill.
A report tabled at Hauraki District Council’s July 8 meeting said recycling contamination in the district had increased to around 27 per cent, up from a three per cent low in 2020.
“This means that over a quarter of material presented for recycling is… ultimately disposed of at landfill,” the report said.
“This results in inefficiencies across the system, including unnecessary transport, handling, and disposal costs, and undermines the efforts of residents who recycle correctly.”
The report was accompanied by photos showing recycling bins filled with waste, including food scraps, polystyrene, clothing, building rubble, and other non-recyclable materials.
The issue was particularly concerning, councillors said, since the Tirohia landfill was reaching the end of its life – projected to close within the next 18 months.
Local waste will then likely be diverted to Hampton Downs, at a greater transport cost to the council.
“It’s very much an education-based approach rather than a punitive one,” council group manager of service delivery Adrian de Laborde said.
“We’re trying to reduce as much product that’s going to the Tirohia landfill as possible because it’s 18 months away from being full… [this programme] is key to the future as well and preparing the community for when this landfill is closed.”
The new four-step process will begin on September 1, and will involve regular kerbside audits of recycling bins.
First offenders will have their bins tagged with a sticker and will receive a booklet on recycling correctly. Second and third offences will also involve formal warning letters.
If a resident continues to offend, their recycling bin will be confiscated and they will be provided with clear plastic bags for their recycling.
The bags will be monitored by council, and their recycling bin will be reinstated only once they have successfully presented three consecutive contamination-free recycling collections.
The programme will be funded through the waste levy, and will not impact rates.
WAIHI PEDESTRIAN CROSSING APPROVED
Meanwhile, a long-awaited pedestrian crossing in Waihī has finally been approved, and is expected to be completed in the next construction season.
The pedestrian refuge island will be located on Kenny St/State Highway 25, providing a safe place to cross between Morgan Park and the Waihī Rugby Club.
The section of road sees a lot of foot traffic, especially during sporting events on weekends.
It was a busy road, councillors were told, with average daily traffic measured at 3734 vehicles per day in 2023.
The project will cost $126,000, which will be allocated from the Waihī Ward discretionary fund, access and mobility budget, and the district discretionary fund.
The footpath outside the rugby club is also due for renewal and will be completed at the same time as the refuge island is installed.
Councillor Austin Rattray said he was pleased the project would be going ahead, calling the road “an accident waiting to happen”.
“For me, this is an investment in the future, there’s a multitude of users who will benefit from having this feature,” he said.
