5 steps towards a zero waste event - WasteMINZ
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The evolution of
WasteMINZ
RESTAURANT
WASTE: SOURCES
& CAUSES
may 2014
issue 150
$9.00
5
steps
towards
a zero
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on the cover
Living the zero waste message at 8
Splore 2014 the evolution of
Photo: Jason Burgess/burgseye wasteminz
Paul Evans reports on the key areas
of focus for WasteMINZ over the past
few years.
12
12 LEAVE NO TRACE
Paul Evans interviews Dave Watson
about the innovative approach taken
towards event waste management at
Chief executive officer Splore 2014.
Paul Evans \ +64 9 476 7172
paul@wasteminz.org.nz
Membership manager
16
Carole Inglis \ +64 9 476 7163
FISHER & PAYKEL: 20
carole@wasteminz.org.nz YEARS OF RECYCLING
Simon Wilkinson outlines the
Office manager achievements of the Fisher & Paykel
CJ Dooner \ +64 9 476 7162
appliance recycling programme.
cj@wasteminz.org.nz
Sector group co-ordinator
Jenny Marshall \ +64 9 476 7162 20
jenny@wasteminz.org.nz
Sector projects manager
20 PEOPLE, PASSION
& WAsTE
Nic Quilty \ +64 9 476 7167 Paul Evans highlights the community
nic@wasteminz.org.nz engagement underpinning Auckland
Council’s work in targeting zero waste
Editor, revolve
Kim Mundell \ +64 21 655 917 by 2040.
wasteminz@gmail.com
design, revolve
Leanne Lassman \ +64 21 267 3885
24
RESTAURANT FOOD
leanne@electrichedgehog.co.nz
WASTE: identifying the
T +64 9 476 7162 SOURCES & CAUSES
PO Box 305426, Triton Plaza, North Shore 0757 Tess Drewitt shares the results of
Unit 1B, 5 Ceres Court, Rosedale, Auckland her Master’s thesis into the causes
0632 New Zealand of restaurant waste in Sweden, the
26
www.wasteminz.org.nz Netherlands and China.
26
WasteMINZ is the authoritative voice on
waste and resource recovery in New Zealand,
and seeks to achieve ongoing and positive
development of our industry.
MORE FOR YOUR MONEY
Sue Coutts champions the role of
WasteMINZ publishes Revolve magazine five
social and community enterprise
times a year, it plays a vital role in ensuring
in reconciling profitability with the
our members are up-to-date with the latest in
industry news, policy and legislative changes
common good.
as well as innovations and advances.
ISSN 2324-5417 (Print) regulars
ISSN 2324-5425 (Online)
4 from paul's desk
5 your board
6 NEWS BITES
10 Ministry for the
environment
30 Sector groups
32 COUNCIL NEWS
34 events
35 gold + silver members
from paul's desk Talk to me
+64 9 476 7172
Paul Evans, CEO, WasteMINZ
paul@wasteminz.org.nz
We are one third of the way through of issues, from behaviour change, business and community enterprise
the year already, and boy is time to waste data, as well as what’s on (page 26).
flying by. So much has already the Ministry for the Environment’s I’d also like to draw your
happened and we’ve got much horizon. attention to an article I’ve written
more to come for you. I must extend my sincere thanks (page 8) about WasteMINZ’
Early April saw another very to all those who presented at the journey over the past few years,
successful WasteMINZ Roundup, Roundup; once again the standard so as a valued member you have
in Queenstown. We were truly of presentations was incredibly a strong understanding of where
delighted to hold the Roundup in high and I was impressed with the the organisation has come from,
the South Island; it had been some innovative and collaborative work how we have evolved, where we
time since a WasteMINZ event that is happening right across the are going and how your Board is
had been held in the mainland. It country. I would also like to thank working for you.
was great to be back, as we want all those who made the effort to Our attention now turns to
to ensure that our events remain attend as well as the significant the conference which is being
accessible for our many South Island contributions of our supporting held in Wellington from 20 to 23
members. partner, the Ministry for the October. Very shortly, we will be
This year the Roundup Environment and the team from announcing the conference theme
programme included a stream CRN (particularly Marty Hoffart and and putting out our call for papers,
on “Council, Community and Sue Coutts) who supported us in so I encourage you to start thinking
Commercial sectors Collaborating” bringing the C4 stream together. about what projects and initiatives
(C4 for short), where the vital role This edition of revolve very much you would like to showcase. The
that each of these sectors play in builds upon the collaborative theme success of our conference is very
achieving better waste and resource of the Roundup, in particular, articles much determined by the positive
recovery outcomes was explored. I on Auckland Council’s work towards participation of our members.
believe this collaborative approach creating a positive movement
is very much the way of the future of change through innovative
and I am confident that WasteMINZ community engagement strategies
can play a significant role in ensuring (page 20) and Sue Coutts of the
effective cooperation. Our general Community Recycling Network
stream addressed a broad range writes on the collaboration between
how to CONTACT YOUR BOARD MEMBERS
Paul Bishop Chair Darren Patterson Deput y chair Grahame Christian
\ EnviroWaste Services Ltd \ Patterson Environmental \ Smart Environmental
paul.bishop@envirowaste.co.nz darren@pattersonenvironmental.co.nz grahamec@smartenvironmental.co.nz
4
Paul Bishop
Your Board paul.bishop@envirowaste.co.nz
Having been involved with the waste play an active and positive role in under Paul Evans’ leadership, and
industry over the last eleven years, shaping the future direction of the the Board believes that WasteMINZ
I consider it a privilege to be on the organisation. The Board are your is now well placed for the years to
WasteMINZ Board and to have been elected representatives and we are come. As part of future-proofing
the Chair for the last five years. all available should there ever be a the organisation, I am pleased to
WasteMINZ Board members matter you’d like to discuss. You will announce that WasteMINZ has
take their roles very seriously and find all of our contact details below, recently purchased its own modest
all members volunteer a significant so please reach out if you ever feel offices in Albany, which we will move
amount of time to ensure that the need. into early in the new financial year.
the organisation has high quality If I were to reflect on years gone The move is about ensuring
governance and is continuing to by, WasteMINZ has often been a the organisation has appropriate
advance services and support challenging organisation to run from facilities to support our members
for our members in a positive a financial standpoint. We had some and it reduces overall cost of
manner. This can be difficult very lean years where the future of accommodation within the annual
given the diversity of opinions the organisation was far less secure operations budget. The purchase
and ideals within our membership than it is today. (Our Chief Executive has been fully funded from financial
base, as well as the ever present Paul Evans outlines this in his article reserves, meaning the organisation
challenges of managing a not-for- on page 8). Effective planning, and has not incurred any debt. The
profit organisation in a sustainable an extremely prudent approach to move will be positive in terms of
manner. WasteMINZ has been financial management has enabled cash flow, and with more space,
operating for over a quarter of a real turnaround. This successful gives the group increased options
a century, and a key part of the approach has always been with the for the future.
Board’s duty of care is to ensure that best interests of the organisation I strongly encourage you to read
the organisation is well placed to and its members in mind and we Paul’s article. It will give you more
operate for another 25 years, while have been successful in maintaining details on the office purchase as
continuing to provide excellent costs to members while at the well as an excellent understanding
value to our members. same time strengthening the of where we have come from and
Along with these considerations, organisation’s balance sheet. where we are going.
we are very aware that our members We have consolidated our
must have the opportunity to position over the last two years
John Dragicevich Simonne Eldridge Dominic Salmon
\ Auckland Council \ Tonkin & Taylor \ Hastings District Council
john.dragicevich@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz seldridge@tonkin.co.nz dominics@hdc.govt.nz
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 5
News Bites MOVERS & SHAKER
Gwilym van Hoffen
Gwilym van Hoffen has shifted back
into his role as director of niche
consultant firm, AMPL Consulting,
following completion of a 3-year
contract with Auckland Council’s
Solid Waste Unit. The contract role
was to oversee the development
and adoption of Auckland’s first
combined Waste Management and
Minimisation Plan (WMMP), and
CarTakeBack the subsequent Solid Waste Bylaw
and operational controls. Ongoing
takes Silver
delivery of the WMMP’s suite of
waste minimisation initiatives has
now been handed over to council’s
solid waste team, who will see the
WasteMINZ welcomes new Silver cars. Their service begins with changes through procurement and
member, CarTakeBack New Zealand an instant car valuation via the on to their ‘go-live’ launch, from
Limited, the organisation behind ScrapCarRecycling.co.nz website 2015/16 onwards.
the innovative ScrapCarRecycling. and ends with a certificate of
destruction providing reassurance gwilym@vanhoffen.com
co.nz website. After experiencing
an encouraging response from the to car owners that their car has
public and participating scrapyards been properly disposed of. Behind welcome to our
and dismantlers since their launch the scenes, FADS integrates the
in February 2012, CarTakeBack activities of the network. Every new members
is expanding its operational and transaction is monitored in real-time, SILVER
promotional activities in the North from car valuations and purchases to Scrap Car Recycling
and South Islands. car de-registration and the recycling
Their car recycling initiative is process, to the benefit of both the CORPORATE
founded upon two key principles: network and the authorities. Hydrotech Drainage & Plumbing
the guarantee of a fair price to The recent launch of CharityCar. SMALL BUSINESS
the disposers of old cars, be they org.nz, allows people to donate Eco-Pal
members of the public, government the value of their old car to great Pete's Takeaways
or commercial organisations, and causes, including charities such as S.J. Timpany Contracting Ltd
the observance of demanding Make-A-Wish.
Tipene Plumbing
environmental and customer service You can find out more about
standards, by its network of car how CarTakeBack’s scrap car individual
recycling centres. recycling network can make a Iris Donohue
Their state-of-the-art financial difference to you, by contacting Gwilym van Hoffen
and data system (FADS) supports them on 0800 825 346, info@ Susan Rabitte
the high level of service demanded scrapcarrecycling.co.nz or visiting Ken Clarke
today by the disposers of old www.scrapcarrecycling.co.nz.
6
RS & MOVERS & SHAKERS & MOVERS
When cars reach the
end of the road
tony phillips iris donoghue Turn to
Tony Phillips recently joined OCS As the retiring Chair of Keep New
as part of the Wasteline Team and
has been tasked with reducing
Zealand Beautiful, Iris is now putting
her energy into Keep Auckland
CarTakeBack
waste at Auckland Airport. He will Beautiful (Chair). Iris is passionate
be setting up a transitional waste about assisting with establishing a
facility airside, in association with
AIAL and MPI. The facility will be
litter free Auckland region, along
the same lines as the regional Scrap car recycling
treated like a quarantine facility due
to the biosecurity risk associated
graffiti project that she was part
of for 6 years. Reducing waste to
– the easy way
with food coming in on international landfill, and behavioural change are
flights. At present no waste is the two main focusses for this brand
diverted from an international flight new project.
so this new facility will see the
Iris can be contacted on iris123@
start of a recycling/waste diversion
vodafone.co.nz.
programme.
Tony can be contacted on tony.
phillips@ocs.co.nz.
tess drewitt janine pearson
Tess recently joined Jacobs SKM Janine joins Jacobs SKM Auckland
in Wellington as an environmental from London where she has
consultant. After working in legal been working for seven years
and government roles, Tess as an environmental planner,
completed her MSc in Sweden last predominantly in the field of
year, where she gained practical waste management. Janine
experience in waste management, will be providing planning and
biogas systems, as well as food environmental support to Jacobs'
waste monitoring, measurement waste management projects in New
and prevention.
Tess can be contacted on tess.
Zealand.
Janine can be contacted on Janine.
0800 825 346
drewitt@jacobs.com. pearson@jacobs.com.
info@scrapcarrecycling.co.nz
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 7
www.scrapcarrecycling.co.nz
lu t io n of
The Evo
M IN Z
Waste
By Paul Evans, CEO WasteMINZ
W
asteMINZ is my first to ensure the longevity and efficacy Prudent financial management was
opportunity to run a of WasteMINZ. At this point not absolutely necessary to ensure a
membership based only did the Board put an enhanced positive future.
organisation and I must admit it’s focus on the financial stewardship However, this has at times
far harder than I would ever have of the organisation, but they also opened us up to criticism, with
thought. In particular there is the reshaped the organisation’s vision a small number of members
constant tension between making to better reflect the environment suggesting our approach was
sure the organisation continues at the time. From this WasteMINZ’ too conservative and that we
to be financially sustainable for vision was established as ‘to deliver were building too much equity.
the long haul, and concomitantly value to our members through the Whilst I respect our members’
ensuring members continue to shaping and sharing of policy and right to such opinions, I believe
perceive our services and events the development of industry good the Board has absolutely struck
as value for money. Should practice’. the appropriate balance between
WasteMINZ end up out of balance To give effect to this, our board finance and delivery. Indeed over
in either direction things could has focussed on three key areas, the years we have seen many similar
quickly turn to custard. these being: organisations in our space falter
and fade away because their Boards
• Increasing professionalism
Where we’ve • Knowledge sharing and
simply didn’t recognise the issue
earlier.
come from development
Indeed WasteMINZ found itself in a • Support and advocacy services The way forward
very challenging position just four
All of WasteMINZ’ activities are now In the two years I have been with
short years ago. In the year ended 30
built around these three pillars. WasteMINZ it has been a real
June 2009 WasteMINZ lost $115,000
pleasure to work with a Board that
and then in the year ended 30 June
continually keeps the needs of the
2010 we lost another $43,000. For an Consolidating organisation and its members front
organisation of our size $158,000 in our position of mind. They continually remind me
losses in just two short years was real
From mid-2011 through mid- at each and every Board meeting
cause for concern for the Board. Had
2013 WasteMINZ was very much that WasteMINZ is here for the
this pattern been allowed to continue
in consolidation mode, with a benefit of its members and this
unabated, in just a couple of years
strong focus on prudent financial same ethos is present throughout
WasteMINZ would have ceased
management and strengthening the entire WasteMINZ team.
to exist. To their credit the Board
our balance sheet, at the same time Over the past year our improved
at the time and my predecessor
keeping membership and event position has allowed us to ‘gear-
Marion Short recognised that
attendance fees at their current up’ our service provision to a point
change was needed and set about
levels. I am personally very proud where we are now delivering far
putting in place effective strategies
to have built upon Marion’s work more than we ever have previously.
to consolidate the organisation’s
to deliver vastly improved financial
position. The changes required were
results throughout this period.
not always easy, but were necessary
8
Key highlights of the past year surpluses, are reinvested The purchase of these premises
include: appropriately for the benefit of has many benefits for WasteMINZ,
• The development of the Land WasteMINZ members and our including better facilities and
Disposal Technical Guidelines sector. infrastructure to support our
(which will be completed this year) We also have other exciting members and sector groups,
initiatives which we hope to be able it increases our options for the
• The on-going development of
to announce shortly. future and most importantly it
the Health and Safety Guidelines
As mentioned by Paul Bishop in greatly reduces our overall cost
for the solid waste and resource
his Board column, WasteMINZ has of accommodation resulting in a
recovery industry (which will also
recently purchased our own modest positive effect on cash flow. You’ll
be completed this year)
offices in Albany (just a couple of all be invited to our ‘housewarming’
• Regular meetings and liaison just as soon as we are in!
blocks from our current location),
with the Waste Advisory Board This positive turnaround has
which we will move to early in the
to ensure they are abreast of only been possible due to strong
new financial year. Our prudent
emerging industry issues governance; a dedicated team
approach over the last few years and
• Enhanced resourcing for our the resulting strong balance sheet and the enduring support of our
sector groups, through the has meant that this purchase was many members and of course our
employment of an additional fully funded from reserves, ensuring strategic partner the Ministry for
Sector Group Co-ordinator the organisation has not incurred the Environment. So thank you to
• The establishment of the any debt. you all. As always, if there’s ever
WasteMINZ Strategic Investment anything you want to discuss, please
Fund, whereby organisational don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Ministry for the
Environment www.mfe.govt.nz
Tackling the review of the
waste disposal levy
Every three years we ask the This identified a series of underlines the importance of
question: has the waste disposal outcomes that we would see, over developing a data collection system
levy been effective? Over the past time, if the levy is operating as it was that will allow us to review progress
four months, a small project team at designed to. By using this framework, at any point along the way.
the Ministry has been busy working the 2014 review focuses on whether On a brighter note, the levy
on answering this question. the purposes of the WMA are being review is an opportunity to capture
The first time we asked the achieved and, if not, why not. existing information, for example
question was in 2011. At that time, the results of the Territorial Authority
the waste levy had only been in The process Survey of Waste Infrastructure and
existence for two years and the Our work on the levy review has Services in 2011 and 2013, and to
answer was – it’s too early to say. generally followed these five phases: identify evidence gaps that can
This time around, we are looking
in detail at the impact the levy is
having on the ground and – where
Gather and Draw
possible – identifying ways it could What are the key collect data What’s the data conclusions What could we
questions and what telling us? do to improve our
be improved. data do we need to
answer them What’s happening What progress have progress?
“on the ground”? we made towards
By requiring the Minister for the Plan the Analyse the intended outcomes? Recommend
approach data improvements
Environment to regularly evaluate
how the levy is going, the Waste
Minimisation Act (2008) allows the
Government to adapt and respond
to issues and outcomes as they
The challenge contribute towards better data
unfold. we face collection in the future. On the
The lack of available data on waste horizon is a project which aims to
Our approach presents a significant challenge for create a framework for capturing
in 2014 the levy review team. To measure waste data in a reliable and
the impact of the levy on the consistent way across the waste
A good evaluation of a project or
ground, we need good data on sector in New Zealand. The National
policy needs to identify what we
waste disposal overall, the amount Waste Data Framework project is
really want to know and how to find
of waste being recycled and being led by WasteMINZ.
that out. Before we can evaluate
how effective the levy has been recovered in New Zealand, and
the infrastructure and services that Learning from
to-date, we have to define what
is meant by ‘effective’. In other are available. Understanding the others
words, we have to be clear what impact of a regulatory instrument, In the absence of comprehensive
the intended result is (or was). To such as the waste disposal levy, waste data in New Zealand, and to
establish a clear understanding is dependent on robust, almost understand what outcomes we might
of this, the 2011 levy review team real-time information, says Daniel expect to see from our levy, we are
developed an ‘expected outcomes’ Skinner-Du Plessis, the Ministry’s looking to international examples.
framework (see Figure 1). Senior Evaluator who is assisting
the levy review project team. This
10Figure 1: Outcomes framework for the waste disposal levy
There are now approximately 20
11. The environment is protected from 12. Environmental, social, economic and landfill taxes (the equivalent of our
Long-term outcomes
harm through waste minimisation and a cultural benefits are provided through
decrease in waste disposal. waste minimisation and a decrease in
waste disposal levy) operating in the
waste disposal. European Union and similar waste
disposal levies operating in four
states in Australia. The consistent
10. Waste minimisation is achieved.
trends identified in these jurisdictions
offer us useful insights into the
9. People dispose of less waste and minimise more waste, particularly harmful waste. outcomes we can expect to see here
in New Zealand.
Mid-term outcomes
7. Waste minimisation is encouraged
and promoted.
Where to
from here
8. The public appropriately responds to
6. Waste minimisation infrastructure price signals. Over the next weeks we’ll be
and services are improved. finalising the review findings,
including incorporating feedback
4. Funds are 5. Funds are from the recent levy review
allocated to allocated to workshop at the April WasteMINZ
projects (to
Short-term outcomes
territorial
authorities (to promote or
3. The cost of waste disposal is
Roundup. The Minister will obtain
spend on matters achieve waste
minimisation).
increased (to recognise that disposal and consider the advice of the
to promote or imposes costs on the environment,
achieve waste society and the economy). Waste Advisory Board before
minimisation).
completing the review by 1 July
2014.
2. Revenue is raised (for promoting and
achieving waste minimisation).
Activity
1. A levy is imposed on waste disposed of at a disposal facility. (The levy is paid to the
levy collector),
Valentino Luna Hernandez
Having worked on the implementation of the Solid Waste Bylaw at Auckland Council for close
to two years, Valentino moved to the Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Compliance team in
February. Valentino brings over seven years of experience in environmental compliance to help
the Ministry deliver the WMA compliance assurance programme. The focus of this programme
is to monitor Disposal Facilities, Territorial Authorities and recipients of the Waste Minimisation
Fund. Valentino has an academic interest in waste as a place-maker, studying the interactions of
the community, industry and government sectors around the issue of waste.By Paul Evans, CEO WasteMINZ 12 12
LOOKING
FOR A GLASS
GRANT?
The Forum is committed to ensuring
that as much waste container glass
as possible is diverted from landfill
and put to an effective use.
It recognises that this can only be
achieved if there is input into the
critical areas of infrastructure,
education of the community and
co-operation with local commercial
recyclers and local authorities.
In some locations it may be necessary
to utilise recovered glass locally or
upgrade infrastructure to improve glass
W
quality and/or the tonnages recycled.
hen you’re running aspects of society to become more
Councils and community groups are
a multi-day festival sustainable. The Splore community invited to apply for funding to assist
for close to 7,000 is an aware bunch and we were in a glass recycling projects. Refer to the
people in a pristine unique position to respond through Forum’s website for the application
form and the criteria for grants.
and much loved regional park, it the sustainability initiatives at Splore
Funding projects to date include:
stands to reason that you need 2014 and beyond. Our aspirational
• Infrastructure to collect quality glass
to approach sustainability and in goal is for Splore to be New
for remanufacture into new containers
particular waste, with far more care Zealand’s first zero waste festival”,
• Support infrastructure to collect
and attention than your usual run says Dave. glass at community events
of the mill event, and that’s exactly Splore has always been strongly • Trials of glass as a substitute for
what the passionate team at Splore focussed on sustainability, but Dave sand in golf courses/sports fields
have done. and the team knew that significant • Engineering report on glass in
Situated in a beguiling bay on improvements could still be made. building slab construction
the shores of Tapapakanga Regional One such case was the 55,000 one • The separation at source bin for single
Park, the biennial three-day Splore use cups that were sent to landfill at collections with glass separate
festival uses its pristine environment Splore 2012. Dave was convinced • Modification of MD4 specifications
to allow glass in road construction
as a ‘platform to educate and inspire they could do much better. “We
attendees through the festival wanted to break the mould for Funding project guide: Making
events” says Dave. a Difference in the Community
kaupapa of contributing to the
is available on request
well-being of the planet by creating There were four key prongs to
transformational experiences’. improving waste management at
Simply put Splore is a boutique Splore, these included:
1
music and arts festival like no other.
We talked to Dave Watson,
Splore’s sustainability manager
about their innovative approach to
event waste management for the
2014 event, which yielded some Precycling
truly impressive results.
Precycling is the simple principle of
When asked what sits at the
thinking more carefully about the
heart of Splore’s approach to waste
products you buy, and the packaging
management Dave says that the
they come in. If you precycle, you
core ethos for the festival was to
avoid products with excess or over-
“love and respect your Splore
sized packaging, buy products
space, leave no trace.”
that will last, and reuse previous
“We live in a time where
purchases as much as possible. GET IN TOUCH WITH
increasing demand for natural
John Webber
Photo: Emma Bass
resources is putting pressure on all
john@glassforum.org.nz
www.glassforum.org.nz
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 13“Through all of our vendors knew where to go to get
communication channels and in compostable products. We also
particular our social media we asked gave them the flexibility to source
our community to give real thought their own suppliers, so long as we
to what they were bringing to the approved it ahead of time”.
festival and then strip it back to the Splore initiated a ‘Green Trader’
bare essentials. We urged them to award in partnership with Conscious
put the food they were bringing into Consumers to encourage all the
reusable containers and to recycle vendors to actively participate and
any packaging at home. Most to celebrate their success.
3
importantly we asked them take
what they bring into Splore home
with them at the end. The last thing
we wanted to happen was a repeat
of the horrendous waste seen at
other multi-day festivals” says Dave. Globelets - a
sustainable cup
[Editor’s Note: You can see a video
of the heart-breaking levels of waste
with a twist
from Rhythm and Alps 2013 here: 55,000 one use cups were sent to
http://bit.ly/festivalwaste] landfill during Splore 2012, which
2
was completely at odds with the
aspiration of zero waste. So in
2014 they introduced a reusable
polypropylene drinking vessel called
a ‘Globelet’.
100% Compostable Festival goers purchased a
globelet with their first drink for $2
at Splore
and it could then be used again and
One of the main contributing factors again at the festival at all bars, drinks
to the Splore waste stream in the stations and when purchasing a drink
past was single use food waste from vendors. There were also refund
contaminated non-compostable stations so people could return the
packaging and serving utensils. cup and get their $2 back if they
Having varying types of serving didn’t want to hold onto them. If they
ware created a mixed waste stream wanted to give them a clean they
that confused festival goers and could head to Ecommater’s ‘Wash
was difficult to sort. To overcome against Waste’ station. The festival
this all serving and packaging items also engaged Orere Point Primary as
at Splore 2014 had to be certified a wash service to keep the globelets
100% compostable, but logistically in circulation.
this was no easy feat. Dave says “the globelets and
Dave says “To make this work the deposit system were a total win
we had to get all of our food for all involved. For our bars and
vendors on board. This was a real vendors it was perfect as it was a no
challenge, as in many cases they cost solution, so they actually saved
already thought they were doing money.
the right thing by using recyclable Our sponsors Phoenix, Tiger,
Photos 1 2 + 4: Jason Burgess/burgseye
products. So we made it as easy as and Jagermeister instigated some
possible for them by developing very cool designs for these cups,
a preferred supplier arrangement making them a real piece of festival
(with WasteMINZ member Kevin memorabilia and festival goers who
Graham from Friendlypak) so that didn’t want to keep them could
14get a refund when they returned all resources were recovered and
their cup. There were even a cleaned before heading off site to
few enterprising young kids who
gathered up any discarded globelets
the end user.
dave's
keeping the site impeccably clean Results keys to
and making themselves some
pocket money in the process”.
This rigorous approach yielded success
some truly amazing outcomes.
4
On the Saturday of the festival,
the results from the 10 manned
ACZWA waste stations were:
Develop a vision
• Compostables: 442.13kg or
of success and a
70.5%
Getting it sorted • Recyclables: 131.32kg or 21% strategy to get you
The primary task of the waste • Landfill waste: 53.60kg or 8.5%
management plan was to stop there
• Total weight 627.05kg
unnecessary waste to landfill, whilst
• 91.5% diversion from landfill
also keeping the site spotlessly clean.
To do this Splore partnered with Diversion from landfill for the Be bold and take
ACZWA (Auckland Community Zero entire festival was an impressive 73
percent, with much of this waste
calculated risks
Waste Alliance) and Clean Event Ltd
to make sure that any waste items coming out of the camp sites on
ended up in the right place. ACZWA the Sunday. To a large extent this Constantly
had 10 manned waste stations at key was outside of the organisers’
points of the Splore site where they control, as it was what people had communicate with
educated attendees on what goes brought with them.
where and why. All waste stations When asked to summarise the your stakeholders,
consisted of three bins: recycling, Splore experience Dave says “our
compostable and landfill waste. With key success was the huge reduction take them on your
a little guidance from the friendly in landfill waste when compared to
ACZWA experts the festival was able past festivals. We’ve now proven journey
to avoid too many mix ups. our model and set a benchmark for
all future Splore events and other
“By having waste stations Partner with
manned, it helped to separate the events to build upon. In the process
waste at source, another added we were also able to create an subject experts
but unforeseen benefit was that it amazingly positive environment, a
allowed us to pick up any exceptions festival culture where littering was who share your
very early on. For example we frowned upon and where recycling
had a vendor who had run out and composting was the norm.” vision and want to
of compostable containers and
started using old stock which wasn’t
see you succeed
compostable. The volunteers quickly
picked this up, so we could put a Most importantly
solution in place” says Dave.
Dave adds “festival goers surround yourself
seemed to really appreciate the
interface with the ACZWA team, with passionate
Dave Watson is an Auckland-based sustainability
the feedback was overwhelmingly
positive”.
consultant and trainee associate of the Natural
Step. He recently completed a Graduate Diploma
people
To be completely sure that there in Sustainable Practice at Otago Polytechnic
was no unnecessary waste the with a background in energy efficiency, zero
waste events and developing sustainable
entire Splore waste stream was then communities. To find out more about Splore’s
sorted by Clean Event at the main approach to sustainability you can contact Dave
sorting station 'Trash Palace' where on mail2davewatson@gmail.com.
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 1520
years of
recycling
at Fisher &
Paykel
By Simon Wilkinson, Consultant (on behalf of Plastics New Zealand)
16
16S
ince 1993 Fisher & department dismantle appliances,
Paykel Appliances has and components are separated
been doing its bit as a according to their different
responsible brand-owner materials.
by recycling old whiteware and The world-renowned smart
diverting thousands of tonnes of drives from Fisher & Paykel washing
material away from New Zealand machines are removed intact
landfills. Fisher & Paykel has been and sent to a company called
one of New Zealand’s most iconic Eco Innovation, who use them to
brands since its origins in the make a low-cost, domestic-scale,
1930’s. This iconic status brings hydro electricity generator. One
corporate responsibilities, including Eco Innovation PowerSpout can
a commitment to reduce the produce more than 8,000 kWh
company’s environmental footprint. per year — enough to power an
New Zealanders can usually average household.
recycle old whiteware through their Plastic components from
local council. However, many also collected appliances are separated
use the Fisher & Paykel recycling into their different polymers to
service through which they can enable easier recycling. In total
drop off any brand of appliance around 10 tonnes a month of
for free at locations in Auckland, plastic is recycled by the Fisher &
Wellington and Christchurch. Paykel recycling operation. Plastics
Outside of these main cities, Fisher recycled include PVC, ABS, PC,
& Paykel offers free take-back of Nylon, PP, LDPE, HDPE and Noryl.
appliances through their retail Some of these plastics are also
partners when a new F&P appliance broken down into natural and
is being purchased. coloured to further enable quality
On average, around 25,000 recycling.
appliances are recycled through the Fisher & Paykel’s design team
Fisher & Paykel recycling programme ensure that all plastic components
every year. This means that over in their appliances can be identified
the past 20 years the company has by labelling them according to the
diverted more than half a million international standard ISO1043.
appliances, or 30,000 tonnes of This helps recyclers visually identify
material, away from landfill. the different polymers to enable
Despite the complexity of good material separation and
the appliances and the variety maximise recycling potential.
of materials used in them, the Every designer at Fisher &
majority of material is recovered Paykel gains an understanding
for recycling. Fisher & Paykel’s of the need to consider the
recycling process recovers 95 recyclability of their products
percent of material from stoves, shortly after joining the company
85 percent from dishwashers, 80 when they are given an induction
percent from laundry appliances tour of the recycling operation.
and 70 percent of the material in The fact that the company has a
refrigerators. recycling operation at the same
Items are collected at stores site where their appliances are
around the country then shipped designed also makes it easy for
to the nearest recycling centre product developers to work closely
in Auckland, Wellington and with those that fully understand the
Christchurch. In Auckland, the four implications of design decisions for
staff members of the recycling end of life management.
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 17Public Place Recycling Scheme
EVENTS & CAPITAL PROJECTS
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Capital Projects Events
Does your application cover the For support with funding, does
following: your event cover the following
Allocations will be based on whether the project
allocations:
meets one or more of the following criteria:
Allocations will be based on whether the project
• Tourist locations with high density visitor
meets one or more of the following criteria:
populations
• Focus on family and children • Open to a large
• Communities which do not currently have
number of the public
recycling facilities
• Keeping our waterways clean and green
• Keeping our waterways clean and green
• Promoting recycling at sporting initiatives
• High traffic areas such as transport hubs,
• Involving members of the PPRS as sponsors
educational institutions, shopping centres,
• Delivering programme which will promote Love
DHB’s, sports and entertainment venues, tourist
NZ to the public through branding on recycling
attractions
bins, promotional materials, communications etc.
• Delivering programme which will promote Love
NZ to the public through branding on recycling
bins, promotional materials, communications etc.
For more information
please email Donna at
donna.glassforum@xtra.co.nzSeparated plastics are sent from
F&P to plastics recycling company Key
Astron Plastics in East Tamaki.
Astron processes the HDPE, LDPE,
Actions
polypropylene, ABS, polycarbonate
and polystyrene from Fisher and 25,000 appliances
Paykel at their plant here in New
Zealand. Some of the less common recycled each
and difficult to recycle plastics are
sent overseas for recycling. year
Polystyrene and ABS make
up about two-thirds of the F&P
plastics recycled by Astron. These Smart drives
are granulated then extruded then
re-pelletised for sale to plastics
converted into
manufacturers as an alternative to
low cost hydro
virgin material for use in products,
such as plastic chairs. electricity
Other polymers are processed
in a similar way by Astron, then generators
may be blended with additives
and colourants before being
remanufactured by Astron into Plastic
cablecover. Around 80 percent of
the plastic Astron recycles for F&P components
ends up in products here in NZ.
The remaining material is sold to
separated into
manufacturers overseas.
different polymers
After the plastics and smart
drives are removed from the to enable easier
appliances, the remaining parts of
the recycled appliances are sent recycling
to Sims Pacific Metals where they
are processed through their large
shredder to extract metals for Remaining parts
recycling.
In addition to recycling their
processed through
products, Fisher & Paykel have
recently introduced a company-
shredder to
wide waste minimisation extract metals for
programme. Staff rubbish bins
have been replaced with small recycling
receptacles and large recycling
stations throughout the site. Paper
towels in the bathrooms are all Company-
collected and taken, along with Simon Wilkinson is a consultant who specialises in
food waste from the canteen, by
working with business on practical environmental
projects including waste minimisation, energy
wide waste
Transpacific for composting. Even efficiency and pollution.
though it is early days for their Plastics New Zealand is the industry association
minimisation
office recycling system, Fisher & for plastics manufacturers in New Zealand. It
works constantly to improve plastics recycling in programme
Paykel are diverting 17.5 tonnes New Zealand by connecting manufacturers and
per month, or 65 percent of the brand-owners with recyclers and plastics experts.
waste they generate. Further information on www.plastics.org.nz.
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 19people,
passion
& waste
Auckland
Council's creation
of a movement
for change
By Paul Evans, CEO WasteMINZ
Richelle Kahui-McConnell, leader
of the Para Kore ki Tamaki Project,
20
at Orakei Marae
20A
uckland Council has set a Initially many thought the
goal to become the world’s proposed changes, particularly
most liveable city and a key the introduction of disposer pays,
part of achieving this is targeting were unfair. But the Council’s
zero waste by 2040. enquiry based approach soon
No doubt it’s a lofty ambition got the people thinking and the
that would scare many, but the conversation changed markedly.
Council’s waste team are engaging People started asking, what happens
with their communities to help to our waste? Where does it go?
create a movement for real and The Council then organised
sustainable change. bus trips for community leaders
to the Waitakere refuse transfer
Link to WMMP station. These trips helped people
This movement for change is one of get to grips with the magnitude of Working with you for a greener tomorrow
seven distinct projects established Auckland’s waste challenge (each
under the Council’s Waste week Auckland produces enough
n
Management and Minimisation Plan waste to cover a rugby field as high
EnviroWaste Services Limited
(WMMP). Through the development as the goalposts) and also inspired
provides complete solutions for the
of the WMMP, elected members and motivated them when they saw environmentally safe management
expressed that it was vitally the huge potential for reuse and the and disposal of waste
important that the council prepare related community benefits.
its communities for the coming
changes in services and in particular
Social Enterprise Specific areas
for the transition to disposer pays. in Otara of expertise include:
Furthermore the project also One of the communities the Council
seeks to facilitate opportunities has been working very closely with • Recycling/Recovery
for community-driven reduce, and who have wholeheartedly Solutions
reuse, recycle and renew initiatives embraced the zero waste vision is
by working in ways that achieve Otara. Otara is a diverse community • Waste Collection
positive social, cultural, economic situated 18 kilometres to the
and environmental outcomes. The • Bulk Waste
southeast of the Auckland CBD near
project is focussed on particular Transfer Operations
the head of the Tamaki River. Otara
communities, where it was identified has a strong historical connection • Waste Disposal at Landfills
the impact of the changes would be to waste, due to its proximity to the and Transfer Stations
felt the most. now closed Greenmount landfill.
Otara has around 160 • Landfill Design
Community neighbourhood support groups;
Engagement • Leachate Control
with these groups taking a much
and Monitoring
A fundamental part of the Council’s broader role than safety alone, they
approach was early engagement are about community development, • Landfill Post-Closure
with the community, finding out knowing your neighbours, creating Aftercare
what they thought the issues, connections and developing
neighbourhood-led solutions. • Hazardous Waste
challenges and opportunities
The Council has partnered Treatment and Disposal
might be and just as importantly
finding out what was already with Otara Health, a charitable
• Contaminated Site
happening out there. This was done organisation which supports the
Remediation
through targeting a wide range groups, to help these groups to
of organisations; from community learn fundamental skills in relation to • Stormwater Monitoring
groups to churches and passionate growing their own food, minimising
food waste, composting and • Landfill Gas Extraction,
community leaders, the Council
recycling. Processing and Monitoring
went wherever there was energy and
interest. continued on page 23
0800 240 120
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 21 www.envirowaste.co.nzA FREE nationwide service to ‘FREE’ PCB
collect and safely dispose of
Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) DISPOSAL!
is offered by Transpacific Technical Call 0800 PCB WASTE
Services (NZ) Ltd (TTS)
Conditions of this promotion are:
• PCBs must be removed from lighting systems or fittings
and rendered safe, prior to TTS accepting possession.
• This promotion is limited to the collection and disposal of
12 tonnes (maximum packaged weight) of PCB waste.
There are significant quantities of PCBs • This PCB elimination and disposal promotion expires
March 2015.
still remaining in New Zealand, despite
• All applicants under this promotion must register with
legislation being in place since 2004 TTS. To register phone Carolyn Armstrong on 0800 PCB
WASTE.
prohibiting their use or storage.
• Acceptance approvals will be issued by TTS prior to pick-up.
• Any applicant currently on EPA’s PCB register must
This promotion is focused mainly on disclose this status.
the disposal of small PCB containing • Free collection and disposal will be applied on a first come
first served basis.
capacitors, typically found in older style • TTS will assist applicants with information on identifying
fluorescent lighting ballasts. PCBs and on any requirements concerning PCB storage,
handling, registration, transport and disposal.
• TTS retains sole discretion as to whether or not to accept
TTS is offering this service for FREE, PCB waste and is not obligated to accept waste it considers
enabling you to off-set the cost of outside the promotion’s objectives.
TTS is able to provide more information to help identify suspect
having your lights checked and capacitors and ballasts in PCBs. Further information on PCBs is
upgraded. Further savings can be made available on the websites below;
1. Safe Management of PCBs Code of Practice publication is
with modern energy efficient lighting. on the MOH website: http://www.moh.govt.nz
2. Phasing out Small PCB Holdings is on ERMA website:
Transformers and other items of http://www.ermanz.govt.nz
electrical equipment containing PCBs This promotion is made possible by a grant from the Government’s
are also eligible. Waste Minimisation Fund, managed by the Ministry for the
Environment.
TTS also acknowledges Tredi NZ Ltd as its PCB offshore disposal agent
and promotion partner.Furthermore the council has council view
worked with church and community
leaders to create waste champions This project has been led by Jenny
who act as local advocates. One Chilcott, Auckland Council’s project
such champion is the Reverend manager Special Community
Ifaleme Teisi from the Free Church Engagement Project. Whilst
of Tonga, who has a vision for his Jenny freely admits it has been a
church to be sustainable. He is now challenging process and that the
a fully trained composting tutor work to date is really just the tip
teaching his parishioners how to of the iceberg, she firmly believes
bokashi and advising them how to they are setting the foundations
separate recyclables. for change led by the community
Social Enterprise and the itself. “Yes these groups need the
concept of “waste to employment” council’s support, but they can do
is another theme which has come a far better job than we ever could
through loud and clear. Examples on our own, local people bring
include Habitat for Humanity’s reuse passion, relationships and credibility.
shop ReStore, which takes in old Through this project we have been
and unwanted goods donated by strengthening relationships between
the community and sells them on the Council and the community,
at affordable prices. Not only does we have been fostering greater
this prevent the goods from going collaboration and it is also positively
to landfill, but it also enables more changing the perception of council
Habitat for Humanity homes to be so we are now seen as more of a
built within the local community. partner with the community”.
As Habitat for Humanity’s Conrad When asked what has worked
Lapoint says “every sale to us bangs well Jenny says “I think importantly
a nail, which helps us build more we have been meeting people on
homes year on year”. their own ground, engaging them in
Yet another organisation meaningful conversations and taking
working closely with the council to an action focussed approach. We’ve
embrace the related employment worked in a holistic way and have
opportunities is Crosspower provided learning opportunities
Ministries, whose goal is to reach so that we increase capacity and
youth at risk, engage them and strengthen community leadership.
influence them for better outcomes. This means that the change will
Sei Brown, general manager of hopefully continue long after the
Crosspower says “this whole project is over. Most importantly
recycling journey is more than it has been about Council taking
just taking trash and putting it in a step back, just being the
the right place, it is actually a real support partner and keeping the
community building exercise. Not communities well and truly in the At 'Skill Share' waste champions from across
the region come together to share knowledge
only does it build young people, but driver’s seat”.
and skills.
it brings the community to a point
where conversations happen. The
Next steps Waste Champion Rev Ifalame Teisi from the
Free Church of Tonga in Favona, Mangere.
passion of people to do something, The Council is currently developing
especially with waste will change an evaluation framework to identify
the community, it’ll give kids the impact of the project and we will
jobs, and it’ll help young people endeavour to keep you updated as
understand the relationship between the project progresses.
themselves, our community and For more on what’s happening in
nature.” Otara be sure to check out this short
film http://bit.ly/otarawaste.
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 23Restaurant
food waste:
identifying the
sources & causes
By Tess Drewitt, Environmental Consultant
T
he UNFAO and Waste Scale of the a massive share of the global
Resources Institute has restaurant market and generally
problem
estimated that, each year, have a large number of franchises
we lose or waste around 30 – 50 Increasingly, restaurants are seen and outlets that, working together,
percent of food intended for human as part of the food waste problem. could substantially reduce global
consumption somewhere along In the European Union (EU), for food waste. However, food waste
the food supply chain. This waste example, the food service industry prevention measures in global
results in substantial resource contributes towards an estimated restaurant chains are, by no
inefficiencies, financial loss and 14 percent of post-agricultural means, a one size fits all solution.
social hardship. While food waste production food waste — 9 Even restaurants operating within
management goes a long way percent more than wholesale and the same framework must have
towards reducing the environmental supermarkets. In China alone, prevention measures tailored
impacts of food waste disposal, it restaurants throw away enough depending on the circumstances
only addresses part of the problem. food each year to feed an estimated of each specific restaurant to be
Reducing the life-cycle impacts 200 million people. Any efforts effective and efficient. Global food
of food waste instead requires a made by restaurants to prevent waste prevention programmes are
preventative approach, and a much food waste — by both changing thus difficult to implement.
more thorough understanding of their practices and influencing I discovered this first-hand
the sources and causes of food those of their customers — would when conducting research on the
waste than traditional food waste go a long way towards reducing sources and causes of food waste
management. food waste globally. Restaurants, in one of the world’s largest fast
like households, have the added casual restaurant chains (a type of
incentive of saving money through restaurant that operates in a similar
improved efficiencies. way to fast food restaurants like
Global restaurant chains are McDonalds, but has a higher quality
particularly interesting. They hold of food and service). I wanted to
24understand what makes some customers, with the remaining food purchase costs, disposal costs, and
restaurants produce high levels waste being produced either in the money spent on energy, water and
of food waste, while others only kitchen or serving line. staff for processing and cooking
produce a little, and how food waste I was told, and discovered for wasted food) showed that the
could affect restaurants financially. myself, that the Chinese customers European restaurants were performing
I also wanted to examine whether were leaving so much food behind better financially by producing less
food waste prevention programmes because of the Chinese eating food waste. The Swedish restaurant
could be global within the same culture. Traditionally, Chinese people was spending an estimated 3 percent
restaurant chain, or whether they tend to order more food than they of daily turnover on avoidable food
should vary according to cultural need as a sign of affluence, and waste, while the Chinese restaurants
settings to be effective. prefer variety over ordering just one were spending up to 15 percent. Even
meal. When faced with a Western- though the Swedish restaurant was
cultural style menu, the Chinese consumers already producing much less food
differences continued to order a variety of main waste, these findings highlighted
menu items, and subsequently the potential for future savings from
To answer these questions,
left large amounts of food behind. continued food waste prevention
I visited four of the chain’s most
The restaurants encouraged this programmes.
prominent (and culturally different)
behaviour by serving portions that
restaurants — two in China, one in
were much larger than those served NEXT STEPS
Sweden and another in Holland. At
in their European counterparts. This research provides a good case
each restaurant, I examined food
Larger sizes were generally study example on the importance
waste streams to understand the
maximised with rice or potatoes. of understanding the source, cause,
sources and causes of food waste.
I looked at where waste was being quantity and composition of food
RE-USING FOOD waste so as to develop effective and
produced (in the kitchen, storage,
serving line, or by customers), and There was also an interesting efficient waste prevention strategies.
why (for example poor storage difference between the Swedish It also provides an indication of
conditions, inaccurate forecasting or and Dutch restaurants. The Swedish the potential for full cost savings
too large portions). restaurant produced 70 percent of as a result of prevention strategies.
The first thing I noticed was its food waste in the serving line Making small changes to portion
how much food waste the Chinese (i.e. food that was prepared, but sizes or main menu offerings could
restaurants were producing: an wasn’t served), compared to 40 go a long way towards reducing
estimated 2½ – 5 times more percent in the Dutch restaurant. I food waste in one restaurant,
per customer than the European found this was probably due to the whereas addressing forecasting and
restaurants. One Chinese restaurant different approaches between the legally reusing food in the kitchen
was producing an estimated 1,500kg two restaurants to reusing serving would be more suitable for another.
of food waste per day! The main food. The Swedish restaurant was You can find a full copy
difference between the restaurants routinely throwing all serving food of my research, including the
was the amount of food waste the waste away, whereas the Dutch methodologies, here: http://www.
Chinese customers left behind restaurant was identifying ways of lunduniversity.lu.se/o.o.i.s?id=24923
on their plates. In the Chinese reusing the serving food in other &postid=4080877.
restaurants, customers were leaving meals. Both restaurants advised
behind (and thus wasting) up to 30 they were operating under strict
percent of the food they ordered, food health and safety guidelines,
and 90 percent of all food waste so I could only assume the Swedish
produced in the restaurant came restaurant found it more convenient
from the customers, as opposed to to throw food away (under the guise
food waste produced in the kitchen. of food health and safety) than to
In Sweden and Holland, however, identify ways to reuse.
customers were only leaving behind
an estimated 3–8 percent of their FINANCIAL SAVINGS
Tess Drewitt conducted this research as part
meals, and only 30–60 percent of My calculation of the estimated of her Master’s degree in Environmental
all food waste was produced by full costs of food waste (including Management and Policy. Tess is now employed
by Jacobs SKM as an environmental consultant.
may 2014 \ WWW.WASTEMINZ.ORG.NZ \ 25You can also read
