The importance of waste reduction

Some two years ago, an ecolabel was launched with big ambitions – to help tackle construction and demolition waste in New Zealand.

Why an ecolabel? Its creator, Environmental Choice New Zealand (ECNZ), sets the highest standards for environmental preferability in New Zealand.

If you see a product, such as a cleaning product – or even toilet paper – with the ECNZ logo, you can be assured the manufacturer has done everything they could do to create better environmental outcomes, from material sourcing through to end-of-life solutions.

ECNZ decided it was time we collectively understood what best practice means when it comes to dealing with construction and demolition waste.

Over a period of 12 months, ECNZ consulted with experts in the field and developed a thorough specification that is available online for free public viewing.

ECNZ general manager, Francesca Lipscombe, says the ecolabel is right for organisations that care about sustainability, want to do it well, and want to be recognised for their efforts –especially by their customers.

“Having external validation gives businesses an advantage, especially in a sector that is increasingly under the microscope by

Government, councils and the public,” Francesca says.

The resulting specification, Construction and Demolition Waste Services (EC-59 C&D Waste), outlines in detail how to effectively and efficiently deal with construction and demolition waste.

For example, it requires separating waste onsite and achieving at least 70 percent diversion from landfill.

The great news for architects, builders, and developers is that the ECNZ ecolabel for construction and demolition waste supports Green Star accreditation.

“If you are working on a building project where the waste contractor or waste generator has an ECNZ licence, Green Star’s mandatory minimum reporting requirement for construction and demolition waste is automatically met.

“In addition, projects using ECNZ licensed waste contractors also qualify for one point under Green Star’s 70 percent diversion from landfill credit.”

Waste not, want not

The construction and demolition sector can make up about 50 percent of New Zealand’s waste according to BRANZ.

Originally, the waste disposal levy was introduced via the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 in order to raise revenue towards efforts to minimise waste however, the levy only applied to municipal landfills.

Your RECYCLING bin is only for the following CLEAN items…

To ensure your bin gets emptied and to avoid contamination of recycling:

Keep items loose

Don’t squash bottles, tins or cans

Put all lids in the rubbish

Make sure everything is clean

We can’t accept:

Plastics numbered 3, 4, 6 & 7

No containers larger than 3L or smaller than 150ml

Soft plastics or any plastic you can scrunch into a ball

Takeaway cups and liquid cartons

Paper smaller than an envelope

Compostable items

Clothes and toys

Nappies

Polystyrene

Pans and foils

Window glass, crockery & light bulbs

Batteries

General rubbish or food.

Repeated contamination may result in withdrawal of your kerbside collection service.

WasteMINZ CEO, Janine Brinsdon, says the increased cost of disposal will eventually have an economic impact.

“It will also generate $276m per annum by 2024 – a significant increase from $30 million per annum in 2020. This revenue will be reinvested into waste minimisation projects, including investment in C&D waste projects.

“If the sector doesn’t embrace reduction in the levels of waste being sent for disposal, rather than reused or repurposed, then the financial impact to the sector will be at a level where it will add additional pressure on margins and costs. Increased focus on waste minimisation at design and more effective material separation management, either onsite or aggregated, will help mitigate this risk.”

Furthermore, BRANZ suggests that much of what is considered ‘construction waste’ could easily be diverted from landfills simply by sorting the waste.

For those interested in teaming up with WasteMINZ and joining its new Recycling & Resource Recovery group, more information on membership can be found at: www.wasteminz.org. CT