Food and green waste collection on the West Coast

The Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils have published the results of the regional food and green waste feasibility study that was completed in June this year.

In May 2023, central government developed a policy requiring all district and city councils to offer food and green waste collection for urban areas with over 1,000 residents by 2030. For the West Coast, this affects Westport, Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika.

The three councils received funding from the Ministry for the Environment and Development West Coast to carry out the study and determine what might be possible in terms of both collection and processing of food and green waste on the West Coast.

While the study was in progress, central government reversed the requirement to collect organic waste from populations greater than 1000 residents, removing the mandate that brought about this work.

Grey District Council Group Manager Operations Kurtis Perrin-Smith says: “The study sought views from residents across the West Coast via a community survey, with the results providing insight into how community members currently deal with their food and green waste, and also their views on different collection methods and at-home options for processing organic waste.”

The survey found that 31% of West Coast residents dispose of their food waste with general rubbish, with the remainder either composting at home or feeding food waste to animals.

There is widespread support for improving the management of food and green waste, however there is also reluctance to pay additional costs to enable improved management of organic waste.

In order to determine the expected volumes of food and green waste being disposed of on the West Coast, a waste audit was carried out on kerbside waste in Hokitika, Greymouth and Westport.

Westland District Council’s Group Manager District Assets Erle Bencich continues: “The audit revealed that the majority of our green waste is disposed of directly at processing sites at transfer stations across the region, rather than through kerbside collection. This also highlights that many residents undertake home composting activities, confirming that there are no significant gains to be made from providing a kerbside green waste collection in any of the Westland District towns at this stage.”

However, 1,174 tonnes of food waste are estimated to be disposed of each year through kerbside collection. If collected separately from the general waste stream, there is potential to combine this food waste with the green waste dropped off at landfills and transfer stations to produce a resaleable compost product.

A variety of options were considered for collection of food waste, from council collection for all households to smaller, community-led collection services for those who wish to opt-in. The costs associated with large-scale collection services are significant and were deemed not to be affordable in the West Coast context.

Buller District Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “The processing options considered ranged from high-tech, fully automated systems to simple windrow composting processes requiring little input or technical skill. In the West Coast context, it was concluded that any composting process should be low-tech and simple to operate, given our remoteness from services required to keep more complex processes fully functional.”

The study concludes that an approach combining community education around food waste reduction with a council/community partnership presents the best model for further development. This would draw on the strengths of both parties, while providing small-scale food waste collection and processing for the wider community without heavily impacting rates.

By working with community organisations that have already achieved successful outcomes using this model elsewhere in New Zealand, it would be possible to adopt a cost-effective and affordable approach for West Coast communities.

Central government decided this week that the policy that directs all councils to provide household food scraps service to all urban areas by 2030 will no longer be implemented.

This is part of a shift in waste priorities from the previous government, with the current government deciding that only one of the previously five guiding policies will remain in force.

Therefore only standardising materials for household recycling has come into effect and introducing a council household recycling service to all urban areas, introducing a council household food scraps service to all urban areas, data reporting for private household recycling providers, and a performance standard for household recycling and food scraps diversion, will no longer go ahead.

This aims to reduce additional costs for councils and enable them to choose the timing of introducing new services with greater flexibility. Central government will continue to support councils in introducing recycling and food scraps collections through the Waste Minimisation Fund if they wish to introduce any new services.

Although the project is not mandatory at present, Council will review the results of the feasibility report. The feasibility report will outline multiple options, which will be presented to elected members in July or August 2025. Once a decesion is made, Council will continue working on the project based on guidance from elected members.

Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils have published the results of the food and green waste collection survey carried out in July this year.

In May 2023, central government developed a policy that by 2030, all district and city councils must offer food and green waste collection for urban areas with over 1,000 residents. This affects Westport, Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika.

The three West Coast District Councils—Buller, Grey, and Westland are collaborating with the Ministry for the Environment and Development West Coast on a feasibility study to prepare for this change required around food and green waste collection. The study focuses on the urban areas of Westport, Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika. Runanga will be covered as part of Greymouth due to its proximity. Likewise, Carters Beach will be included as part of Westport.

A survey was open from July 8 to 29, 2024, and asked residents across the West Coast about their food and green waste practices and preferences. A total of 478 survey responses were received from people living across the three West Coast Districts. 266 responses were from people living in the Grey District, 122 were from people living in Buller, 87 Westland residents responded, and three did not provide a location.

The survey found that West Coast residents mainly manage food waste through home composting or worm farming (43%), with 31% disposing of their food waste in general rubbish and 18% feeding their food waste to animals. For green waste, home composting is most common (37%), followed by disposal with household rubbish (21%) and disposal at facilities (20%).

Over 91% of respondents value sound waste management. More than 66% would consider a council food waste collection service, and over 78% would consider a garden waste service. Preferences for collection methods show that 44% of respondents preferred a single bin, 19% preferred separate bins, and 6% for drop-off, with 37% preferring weekly and 43% preferring fortnightly collection.

Despite community support for improved waste management, there is widespread reluctance to pay for a collection service. The survey results showed that 71% of the respondents would not be willing to pay for a food waste and green waste collection service. However, there is considerable support for community schemes that may be able to provide more cost-effective solutions for the West Coast. Councils will explore both council-led and community-led options during the next stages and will also identify suitable organic waste processing options for the West Coast.

Grey District Council’s Solid Waste Officer Kaia Beal says: “The community survey has given us a sense of how much there is to gain through better food and green waste management.”

Westland District Council’s Operations Project Manager, David Louw, highlights: “Beside the quantitative data, we gathered hundreds of suggestions on how councils could improve food and garden waste management on the West Coast”.

Buller District Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Michael Aitken stated that “these figures indicate there are opportunities to develop more sustainable practices regarding how we manage our food waste and green waste on the West Coast”.

A West Coast audit found that 26% of kerbside waste is food waste and 8.8% is green waste, consistent with findings from similar audits nationwide.

The survey and rubbish audits will provide the data for a regional feasibility study for food and green waste collection and processing services, estimated to cost $100,000. Te Pūtea Whakamauru Para—the Waste Minimisation Fund administered by the Ministry for the Environment—will fund $75,000. Development West Coast will invest $10,000, and each district council will contribute $5,000.

These insights will guide the West Coast councils in determining the best approach for kerbside collection of food scraps and green waste, including feasibility services delivery options and the ideal bin sizes and collection frequency.

The complete survey results are available on your district council’s website, which also includes the communities’ suggestions on how councils could improve food and garden waste management on the West Coast.

Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils want to hear from West Coasters about their current ways of dealing with food and green waste and their preferences for collecting it in urban centres.

Central government announced in May 2023 that by 2030, all district and city councils must provide food and green waste collection for households in urban areas with a population of over 1,000 people. This will apply to Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika, but Runanga and Carters Beach may also be included.

To prepare for this change, West Coast residents are encouraged to participate in the upcoming region-wide food and green waste survey, which will be live between 8 July and 29 July 2024.

Buller District Council’s Manager Infrastructure Delivery Eric de Boer says: “We need to understand people’s current attitudes and behaviours around food and green waste. The survey is key to gathering this knowledge and framing up fit-for-purpose collection and processing options for the future.”

Grey District Council’s Solid Waste Officer Kaia Beal says: “In the survey, residents are asked questions about their current ways of dealing with food and green waste. The survey also gathers information about residents' preferences towards its collection.”

The survey can be completed online through an online form located on each district council’s website. A paper version is available from the councils’ offices and libraries in Grey, Westland, and Buller. Completed paper surveys can be posted to each council or dropped off at the council offices in Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika.

Mr Beal emphasises: “The survey will only take five minutes, and everyone can answer the questions. The more people who participate, the more information we gather, and the better we can plan. It is an amazing chance for people coast-wide to bring in their voice right from the get-go.”

The participating councils will promote the survey through their usual channels, and residents can email their district council with the subject “Food and green waste collection” if they have any questions.

Westland District Council’s Operations Project Manager, David Louw, highlights: “Currently, food scraps and wasted food are disposed of with general household rubbish. This rubbish is transported to landfills for disposal, creating emissions and high costs for ratepayers.

Food and green waste collection could be one way to reduce the amount of waste in landfills. However, to make it work, we need to find collection and processing solutions that fit our region; this is why the survey is so crucial.”

Notes to the reader

The survey, along with planned rubbish audits, will provide the data for a regional feasibility study that is estimated to cost a total of $100,000. Te Pūtea Whakamauru Para – the Waste Minimisation Fund administered by the Ministry for the Environment will fund $75,000. Development West Coast will fund $10,000, and each district council will contribute $5,000.

Dextera Ltd, a local company with expertise in environmental science and project management, will conduct the study. Whirika Ltd, a Dunedin-based company specialising in sustainability and waste management, will provide technical specialist support.

Once completed, the study will outline a preferred approach for food scraps and green waste kerbside collection, the ideal bin sizes for collection, the optimum collection frequency, and identify suitable organic waste processing options for the region.

The study will also examine how processing facilities could be established and cover potential markets for and end users of these products. It is expected to be completed by May 2025. Based on its outcome, all parties involved will decide on the next steps, which will likely include a business case.

Food waste includes fruits and vegetables and their skins, peelings and scraps (e.g., onion skins, potato peelings, avocado stones and corn cobs), grain and cereal products, meat and fish scraps including bones, cooked foods, leftover takeaways, processed foods, dairy products, and shellfish and their shells.

Green or garden waste includes lawn clippings, weeds, leaves, flowers, and small branches.

Central government announced in May 2023 that by 2030, all district and city councils must provide food and green waste collection for households in urban areas with a population of over 1,000 people.

Buller District Council’s manager infrastructure delivery Eric de Boer says: “To prepare for this change, we need to understand the current attitudes and behaviours of people around food and green waste on the West Coast. Gathering this knowledge as part of the feasibility study is crucial for our planning and will enable us to frame up options that are fit-for-purpose for our communities.”

The regional feasibility is estimated to cost a total of $100,000. Te Pūtea Whakamauru Para – the Waste Minimisation Fund, which is administered by the Ministry for the Environment will fund.

$75,000. Development West Coast will fund $10,000, and each district council will contribute $5,000.

Dextera Ltd, a local company with expertise in environmental science and project management, will conduct the study. Whirika Ltd, a Dunedin-based company specialising in sustainability and waste management, will provide technical specialist support.

Grey District Council’s solid waste officer Kaia Beal says: “The feasibility study will give councils clarity on key topics to progress the planning.”

The study will outline a preferred approach for food scraps and green waste kerbside collection, the ideal bin sizes for collection, the optimum collection frequency, and identify suitable organic waste processing options for the region. Options for processing facilities need to consider regional particularities, the quantities generated, weather impacts and the potential uses for the end products created in these facilities.

The study will also examine how these facilities could be established, focusing on either one centralised facility or multiple facilities distributed across the West Coast. Lastly, it will cover potential markets for, and end users of, these products.

Westland District Council’s operations project manager David Louw explains: “We will begin with an audit of rubbish bins and bags in the main centres across the West Coast in June 2024, looking at the quantity and types of food and green waste they contain. This will enable us to better define the volumes of food and green waste currently disposed of in landfills across the region.”

This will be followed by a community survey throughout July to better understand the behaviours and attitudes of urban West Coasters regarding food and green waste. District councils will inform their residents how they can participate in the survey at the start of July 2024.

The study is expected to be completed by May 2025. Based on its outcome, all parties involved will decide on the next steps, which will likely include a business case.

Mr de Boer highlights: “2030 seems quite far away, but considering the complexity, it is actually quite close. Starting now will put us in a good position to begin the journey.

I encourage people to participate in the survey in July to provide us with as much information as possible to develop options that fit the end user.”

About Te Pūtea Whakamauru Para – the Waste Minimisation Fund

The purpose of Te Pūtea Whakamauru Para – the Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) is to boost New Zealand’s performance in waste minimisation. The WMF invests in infrastructure, services, and educational activity throughout New Zealand. The fund is primarily enabled through the waste disposal levy.

There is considerable scope in New Zealand to reduce waste and increase the recovery of useful resources from waste. Lifting our performance in recovering economic value from waste also provides environmental, social, and cultural benefits and reduces the risks of harm from waste. More information about the fund can be found on the Ministry for the Environment website.