Changes proposed for Auckland’s waste handling as region moves closer to zero waste target

Publish Date : 06 Mar 2024

Changes are being proposed for the way Auckland’s waste is managed in a determined effort to conserve resources, protect our environment and move closer to zero waste by 2040 – it’s now time for Aucklanders to have their say.  

Auckland Council’s draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) 2024 outlines proposals to:

  • increase options to re-use, repair or repurpose items and advocate for rethinking how products are designed and extend their life span.

  • target construction and demolition waste, organic, plastics, packaging, textiles and biosolids.

  • move from weekly to fortnightly kerbside rubbish collections, which is in line with the WMMP 2018.

  • address litter and illegal dumping to protect public health and our environment

  • speed up efforts to minimise operational waste generated by the Auckland Council Group.

Chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks Committee Richard Hills says the proposed changes move Auckland closer to a zero waste vision for the region.

“The draft WMMP 2024 outlines the next important steps on our journey to reducing waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, protecting our people, cleaning up our waterways and our environment.

“It builds on previous work undertaken by Auckland Council by doing more to keep resources in circulation and minimise harm caused by waste, while creating jobs and boosting the economy.

“I would encourage all Aucklanders to read the draft waste plan and tell us what you agree with and don’t agree with, and if you have any suggestions or ideas, then please share them with us. Together, we can make this the best plan yet for managing and minimising Auckland’s waste.”

In Auckland, around 1.5 million tonnes of waste goes to mixed waste landfills each year. That’s enough to fill Eden Park every week. Without any new changes, this would be expected to rise to at least 1.7 million tonnes annually by 2040.

Litter and illegal dumping also contribute to the degradation of Auckland’s waterways and natural environment. Turning this around can only be accomplished with the combined efforts of residents, industry, businesses, and the council.

“Aucklanders have shown they are willing and capable of making the changes necessary to move to a circular economy, and some of the loudest voices demanding action to reduce waste are tamariki and rangatahi (children and young people). 

“Despite ambitious targets, we have seen steady progress in moving Tāmaki Makaurau towards this goal over the past decade, but it’s clear we can do more,” says Councillor Hills.

So far, Auckland’s achievements towards a zero waste future include:

  • Aucklanders reduced household kerbside rubbish by nearly 12 per cent per capita from 2010 to 2022. The total amount of kerbside waste to landfill has dropped by 10,000 tonnes per year compared to 2010, despite population growth.

  • Since the introduction of the food scraps collection service in 2023, there has been an average 10 per cent reduction in waste to landfill, with some areas seeing up to 20 per cent reductions in waste to landfill, and 100 per cent of collected food scraps converted to energy and fertiliser.

  • With 16,000 tonnes of food scraps diverted from landfill to date, the emissions saved are equivalent to taking 4,500 average cars off Auckland roads for a year.

  • Thirteen community recycling centres (CRCs) operating across the region with plans on track to expand to 21 CRCs and 2 resource recovery parks within the next decade.

Auckland Council is also seeking feedback on a separate draft waste plan for the Hauraki Gulf Islands, which have their own unique waste management needs and challenges.

Aucklanders have until 28 March to have their say on the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) 2024 and the Draft Hauraki Gulf Islands Waste Plan 2024.

To have your say, you can:

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