How Kiwi’s deal with waste is set to change

Good news! The Government recently announced a new waste strategy to improve household kerbside recycling and food scraps collections. Ultimately it will enable us all to deal with our waste better and divert more organic matter from landfills.

The new strategy sets long-term direction for Aotearoa’s waste system and includes more comprehensive legislation. It’s based on becoming a low-emissions, low-waste circular economy by 2050.

A circular economy means we keep resources in use for as long as possible. It signals a shift away from the wasteful ‘take–make–dispose’ system that we’ve become used to. These changes will affect households, businesses, councils, and the broader waste sector.

New legislation is in development that will replace the current Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the Litter Act 1979. That current legislation is now widely considered outdated and offers limited tools to tackle the environmental harm, greenhouse gas emissions, and economic loss that our current waste system creates.

Consistency across Councils - From February 2024, Councils across motu will accept the same materials in their household collections. Councils will be made to abide by minimum standards to divert waste from landfills. And waste collection companies will be required to report on waste data.

Nationwide urban recycling - By 2027 recycling collections will be available to households in all urban areas.

Nationwide urban food scrap collections - By 2030, food scraps collections will be available to households in all urban areas.

Read the press release from the Minister for the Environment here:
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/standard-kerbside-recycling-part-new-era-waste-system

Find out more about the improvements to household recycling and food scraps collection here:
https://environment.govt.nz/what-government-is-doing/areas-of-work/waste/improving-household-recycling-and-food-scrap-collections/

Auckland food scrap collection rollout - Auckland Council is working to align waste management with the introduction of their green-lidded food scrap bins. Find out more here:
https://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/rubbish-recycling/food-scraps-collections/Pages/default.aspx

For many people this new system will mean having a compost caddy in the kitchen as well as your green-lidded food scrap bin that will go out for kerbside collection. Benchhtop or kitchen caddies are often 6 – 8L (your Ecopack Home Compostable Caddy Liners are made to fit these) and Auckland’s green-lidded food scrap bin is 23L (Ecopack Home Compsotable 27L Bin Liners are ideal).

Compostable bin liners - Ecopack provides compostable bin liners in a large range of sizes – from small caddies right up to large 240L wheelie bins. Shop the range here:
https://ecobags.co.nz/collections/bin-liners/material_compostable?