Changes to Auckland’s water and wastewater charges

operate in 40 countries and currently treat around 261 million tonnes annually. Our Australian counterparts are constructing WtE facilities. The energy recovered from modern WtE plants has the potential to power thousands of homes by providing electrical energy. Unlike landfill, WtE plants does not emit the powerful greenhouse gas methane and has the capability to capture food grade CO2.The recovery of ferrous and nonferrous metals, and the use of bottom ash and plasma treated fly ash suitable for roading and industrial use, is an additional economic benefit.

In an integrated approach, WtE complements recycling programmes. Wales has the highest recycling rates in the world at 67% (NZ is 28%) yet still has four WtE plants. In 1995, New Zealand embraced the ethos of zero waste. Since that time, as a nation, we have dumped well over 200 million tonnes of resource into landfills. Our solid waste production has steadily increased despite heroic efforts by many councils and organisations to reduce the tonnages. As evidenced in other countries, New Zealand could improve our efforts by engaging in an integrated waste management system, which after maximising our recycling efforts secures benefits from the remaining waste via WtE. I look forward to a forthright discussion based on up-to-date evaluation of the economic, socio and environmental benefits of modern WtE technology now embraced in so many of our trading nations.

Please note: The views expressed in this column are my own and do not necessarily represent a consensus position of Kaipara District Council.