Auckland Council is rolling out new waste services on Aotea Great Barrier Island from 1 July 2019 to support the community to reach its target of zero waste to landfill by 2040.
The new waste and resource recovery contracts have been awarded to local Aotea businesses and organisations – Aotea Contractors Limited and Envirokiwi Community Enterprise.
“The local board is delighted that local businesses have been successful in securing the contracts for the new waste services,” says local board chairperson Izzy Fordham.
“This will help grow the local economy and provide much-needed employment opportunities for members of the Aotea Great Barrier Island community.”
Aotea Contractors Limited has secured the contract for roadside waste and recycling collection services and the operation of the Claris Landfill. The new roadside waste collection service will see the introduction of new collection options from 1 July 2019.
Properties that pay a waste charge will be offered either an annual allocation of official Auckland Council 60-litre plastic rubbish bags or a 120-litre rubbish wheelie bin. A letter and frequently asked questions brochure with more information will be delivered to all island households from 7 June.
Ratepayers/property owners that currently do not pay a waste charge will have the opportunity to opt in if they wish to use the new roadside rubbish collection service. Alternatively, they will be able to purchase official Auckland Council rubbish bags from the local service centre at a cost of $3.90 each.
“There will be a transition period from 1 July until 5 August, to allow ratepayers and residents to collect their rubbish bags or opt-in for a bin and have it delivered,” says Parul Sood, Programme Director of Waste Solutions.
“From 5 August 2019, only official council rubbish bags or wheelie bins will be serviced each week.”
Gate fees are also being introduced at the Claris Landfill to encourage people to do all they can to recycle and divert rubbish from landfill.
“We want to do everything we can to achieve our goal of zero waste to landfill by 2040,” says Izzy Fordham.
“Up until now, waste disposal costs on Aotea Great Barrier Island have been heavily subsidised by Auckland Council. The introduction of gate fees for the disposal of some items at Claris Landfill will mean that people will begin to pay a contribution towards the total cost of disposal. Auckland Council will still be partially subsidising waste disposal through regional rates.”
Envirokiwi Community Enterprise has secured a contract to operate the new Community Recycling Centre (CRC) located on the Claris Landfill site.
“We’re thrilled to have a CRC opening on the island,” says Izzy Fordham.
“It will help us all to reuse, repurpose, upcycle, and recycle our unwanted items and keep them out of the landfill. All reusable items can be dropped off at the CRC to minimise waste disposal costs.”
The reuse shop at the CRC will replace the current TipShop. The TipShop trial, operated by AoteaOra, will end on Saturday 29 June. High-quality goods will be
accepted up until that time. The trial was successful and helped to prepare for the new CRC.
“On behalf of the community, the local board would like to extend a huge vote of thanks to AoteaOra and The TipShop Crew for the fantastic job they have done in minimising the amount of waste sent to the landfill,” says Izzy Fordham.
Further changes will see the closure of waste drop-off points at Port Fitzroy, Whangaparapara, Shoal Bay/Tryphena, and outside the Claris Landfill. People will either be able to use the Monday roadside collection or drop their waste off at the Claris Landfill or Community Recycling Centre during opening hours.
A new user-pays summer service will be introduced for visitors and boaties between the end of December 2019 and early February 2020.
A new on-property inorganic collection service will launch in 2020 for all properties that pay a waste charge. People will be able to pre-book a collection online or via Aotea Great Barrier Island Service Centre.
Local residents and ratepayers can visit makethemostofwaste.co.nz to find out more details or check out the handy FAQ brochure, that will be delivered or be available to pick up at the Aotea Great Barrier Island Service Centre.
