Let’s clear this up
There’s good news and bad news when it comes to recycling in Porirua. The good news is we’ve seen an increase in our recycling collections which means more people are recycling, we can re-use more items and less items should be going to landfill. This is great for the environment.
The bad news is that we’re also seeing more of the wrong things in our recycling collections that can’t be recycled. This is called recycling contamination and it can have an impact on the health and safety of hard-working recycling staff, who sort items by hand before it goes through the machines.
Staff safety is our top priority so, unfortunately, if there is too much contamination in a recycling load, we have no other choice but to send the whole truck load to landfill – which is disappointing for everyone involved.
Currently, the top five bad items/ contaminants in our recycling collections are:
• Used nappies and sanitary items
• Food and drink, including raw meat
• Metal items (including saucepans, coat hangers and electrical appliances)
• Hard plastics (not 1 and 2) such as takeaway containers, polystyrene and yoghurt pottles
• Soft plastics like chip packets, and other food wrappings.
Remember that our recycled waste has real value, it’s not rubbish. Our recycling gets sorted in Wellington and is mainly processed in New Zealand and re-used by businesses here, so it has a positive environmental and economic impact. We do need everyone’s help to do better.
Stick to the following basic rules and recycling is easy. The only things that should go in your mixed recycling bin are:
• Plastics with 1 or 2 on it (please don’t squash items)
• Aluminium or tin cans (tuck away sharp lids)
• Paper • Clean and dry cardboard. For glass recycling:
• Rinsed glass bottles and glass jars (but no lids).
Check our online recycling calendar to find out when to put your bins out and print a copy of your zone calendar at poriruacity.govt.nz/ recycling.
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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84.8% Yes
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13.8% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
The tiger who came to tea
Trays are such a useful item to have in the home – they are obviously great for serving food and drinks, particularly breakfast in bed! Find out how to create your own with Resene wallpaper and Resene Colorwood wood stain with these easy step by step instructions.
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