Government announces consultation on a more effective landfill levy
The Ministry for the Environment has opened consultation on a proposed expansion of the landfill levy.
Currently, disposing of waste in a landfill is generally cheaper and easier than alternatives like recycling, composting and reusing. Waste going into landfills has been steadily increasing. Only a small proportion of New Zealand’s waste is currently reused or recycled. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of household waste production per capita in the OECD.
The reality is that many resources sent to New Zealand landfills could be recycled, composted or reused. There are many reasons why this is not happening. The main ones are lack of incentives, and lack of easy, readily available alternatives. The relatively low cost of disposal to landfill and the higher cost of recovering and recycling materials leads to products that could be recycled being taken to landfill instead.
The proposed levy changes are initially balanced, to allow households and businesses to adjust while new and improved waste management systems are established, but also to minimise the risk of increased fly-tipping or illegal waste disposal. It is estimated that the levy changes would lead to a fee increase of about 35 cents per 65-litre household rubbish bag by 2023.
The Ministry has provided a six-page summary consultation document and the full consultation document (81 pages). There is an online submission tool, and a Facebook post for sharing with family, friends and interested parties.
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.
It’s Riddle Time – You Might Need an Extra Cup of Coffee!
Nobody has ever walked this way. Which way is it?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
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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84.6% Yes
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14% No
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1.4% Other - I'll share below
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