Recycling improving in Ashburton district
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
Recycling habits are improving but can still get better in the Ashburton District.
Deputy mayor Liz McMillan said there were still plenty of yellow bins “in bin jail” in Methven, and questioned whether the situation required another round of education for the community as to what could be recycled.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said the number of bin confiscations had halved in the district and issues in Methven were a seasonal anomaly.
During the ski season there was a much higher number of bins not collected and removed, he said.
“Ashburton District’s recycling behaviour is currently holding quite steady.”
The council introduced kerbside monitoring in 2020, with numbers showing a gradual improvement.
The current watch list has 211 on a first strike pullback - when a bin is not collected and a tag is placed on the bin to explain why.
Thirty-nine are on a second strike and 74 have had a third strike and been confiscated.
“Having 74 confiscated [indicates] that things are improving as we were closer to 150 at one stage," McCann said.
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.5% Yes
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13.4% No
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1.2% Other - I'll share below
Railing planters
To gain extra growing space, make and hang these easy-to-build planters on almost any wooden fence or deck railing. Use Resene FX Blackboard Paint so you can easily identify what plants are in each. Find out how to create your own with these easy step by step instructions.