THE NEW PLACE FOR FIREARM OWNERS Getting to grips with waste

By Ange Holt, Chair, Te Awamutu Community Board angela.holt@waipadc.govt.nz

Promotion of waste minimisation is an important goal for the Te Awamutu and Kihikihi Community Board.

As one of our key priorities we already support the monthly Urban Miners E-waste events and the recycling of used batteries through our battery recycling station located at Pak’n Save.

Hopefully before too much longer we will also support the inaugural DIY Garage Sale in Te Awamutu, to help repurpose some of the building construction waste.

As a community board we have historically supported the waste minimisation strategies the council has recommended, such as the introduction of our recycling bins, plastic free July and last year’s household hazardous waste collection. We also support aiming for a circular economy where we keep things in use for as long as we can.

I would like to use this opportunity to encourage you too to support the Waste Less – Do More Plan to minimise and manage waste in Waipā.

There are six main questions, which are:

• How can we reduce our food (organic) waste?

• Do we need to change the way we collect rubbish?

• How can we reduce the recycling contamination?

• Can we divert construction and demolition waste?

• Do we need better infrastructure for handling rubbish – for example, a resource recovery centre?

• How can we get the most from the national waste policy to support Waipā waste minimisation initiatives?

There is lots of background information on the Waipā District Council website to help explain the above and help us all give an informed response.

There is also an opportunity to learn more, ask questions and have your say in person; on April 17 in the main street, outside Peach and Porker between 10am and 2pm, on April 20 at the Twilight Market, Selwyn Park from 1.30 to 5.15pm and on April 21 between 10am and 2pm in the Pak’n Save Carpark.

As a community board we will be doing our best to get out into the community to get an idea of what you all think about this topic so we too can also make an informed submission.

Alternatively, you can give one of the community board representatives a call and let us know what you think. We need to hear from you by April 23.

Finally, Urban Miners and members of the community board will be at the Te Awamutu Rugby and Sports carpark ready to collect your e-waste between 9 and 11am on Sunday.

The e-waste does have a small fee to cover the cost of the recycling. Some items are free, computers and laptops are $2, flat screen TV’s are $10 and CRT TV’s at the most $40.

Remember Waste Less – do more… oh, and have your say!

• For further details go to teawamutunews.nz