New Zealand’s Ministry for the Environment has announced proposals for a new waste strategy and accompanying legislation.
Pointing out that New Zealanders were one of the highest generators of waste per person in the world, Minister for the Environment, David Parker said it was an issue many young people cared about deeply.
“On average, every year, each New Zealander sends approximately 750 kilos of waste to landfill, and much of this could be recycled, re-processed or reused,” Mr Parker said.
“In 2019, waste contributed about four per cent of Aotearoa New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions and around nine per cent of its biogenic methane emissions,” he said.
“We can do better, and New Zealanders are demanding change.”
Releasing a consultation paper, Taking Responsibility for Our Waste, Mr Parker said the Government was committed to building a low carbon, circular economy.
“We have already taken some important steps, including banning single-use plastic bags, and our plan is to phase out other single-use and hard-to-recycle plastics,” the Minister said.
“We urgently need to change the way we think about and manage materials and waste in Aotearoa New Zealand — and everyone has a role to play to minimise waste and its impact on the environment.”
He said the country’s focus for the next decade would be ensuring the right foundations were in place.
“We are designing new waste legislation that will support the transformation New Zealand needs,” Mr Parker said.
Consultation is to run until 26 November.
Wellington, 18 October 2021
