4. Solid Waste Management

Cars being crushed for recycling.

Summary

RPS objectives

  • To reduce the amount of waste produced and associated disposal needs.
  • To ensure that efficient and environmentally sound collection systems are available for the treatment and disposal of wastes.

Pressures and state

  • The volumes of solid wastes requiring disposal in the region are increasing.
  • No major landfills are operating in the region.
  • There has been a slight increase in the number of incidents of illegal rubbish dumping and smoke nuisance from backyard burning of rubbish, possibly associated with the introduction of user pays disposal fees.
  • Costs of transporting wastes outside the region for disposal are increasing.

Doing well

  • Increasing awareness of the effects of solid waste disposal has led to better disposal practices.
  • All substandard disposal sites have been closed.
  • Kerbside collection of recyclable materials is established in both Whangarei and Far North Districts, with substantial increases in the amount being recycled.
  • All monitored operational and closed landfills met their resource consent conditions for the last five years.
  • The Northland region has met the majority of targets in the New Zealand Waste Strategy where the target date has already been passed.
  • Have started the promotion of cleaner production schemes with local industry.

Areas for improvement

  • Currently there are significant numbers of Northlanders that do not have access to recycling facilities, particularly in the Kaipara District.
  • Continue to reduce the quantities of waste going to landfill, by increasing the amount recycled or reused.
  • As a region need to continue to work towards the targets in the New Zealand Waste Strategy.
  • Reduce the number of incidents of illegal waste dumping and burning.
Waste is any material – solid, liquid or gas – that is unwanted and/or unvalued, and discarded or discharged by its owner as defined in ‘The New Zealand Waste Management Strategy'...
This chapter on solid waste management differs slightly from other chapters in this State of the Environment Report, in that obviously solid waste management is not an environment...
Policy documents The RPS provides an overview of resource management issues in Northland, including waste management issues. It contains objectives, policies and methods to achieve...
The following are key areas for future solid waste management in Northland: · The Regional and District Councils will continue work to meet the targets of ‘The New Zealand Waste...
There is a lot you can do in your home, business and school to reduce the amount of waste you produce that enters a landfill. There are three main ways to reduce the amount of...
Northland Regional Council carried out a pollution prevention programme targeting Whangarei businesses whose activities included washing of vehicles. Businesses evaluated included...
MFE. 2002. The New Zealand Waste Strategy. Ministry for the Environment. Wellington: New Zealand. NRC. 2002. Regional Policy Statement for Northland. Produced by the Northland...