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Central government announced in May 2023 that by 2030, all district and city councils must collect food waste (or combined food and green waste) for households in urban areas with a population of over 1,000.
This will apply to Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika, but Runanga and Carters Beach may also be included.
The three West Coast District Councils have joined forces with Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment to explore the topic and frame up options for how food and green waste collection and processing could work in urban centres from 2030 onwards.
West Coasters were encouraged to participate in the region-wide food and green waste survey in July 2024 to understand people's current attitudes and behaviours.
What did the community told us?
We received 478 survey responses 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.
Key findings from the survey were:
Over 91% of respondents value sound waste management.
43% manage food waste through home composting or worm farming, 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 in the household rubbish (21%) and disposal at facilities (20%).
Over 66% would consider a council food waste collection service and over 78% would consider a garden waste service.
71% of the respondents would not be willing to pay for a food waste and green waste collection service
There is considerable support for community schemes that may be able to provide more cost-effective solutions.
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 survey results are available in the Community Survey Report: Organics waste management attitudes and behaviours.
Central government announced in May 2023 that by 2030, all district and city councils must collect food waste (or combined food and green waste) for households in urban areas with a population of over 1,000.
This will apply to Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika, but Runanga and Carters Beach may also be included.
The three West Coast District Councils have joined forces with Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment to explore the topic and frame up options for how food and green waste collection and processing could work in urban centres from 2030 onwards.
West Coasters were encouraged to participate in the region-wide food and green waste survey in July 2024 to understand people's current attitudes and behaviours.
What did the community told us?
We received 478 survey responses 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.
Key findings from the survey were:
Over 91% of respondents value sound waste management.
43% manage food waste through home composting or worm farming, 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 in the household rubbish (21%) and disposal at facilities (20%).
Over 66% would consider a council food waste collection service and over 78% would consider a garden waste service.
71% of the respondents would not be willing to pay for a food waste and green waste collection service
There is considerable support for community schemes that may be able to provide more cost-effective solutions.
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 survey results are available in the Community Survey Report: Organics waste management attitudes and behaviours.
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.
Buller, Grey and Westland District Councils, Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment have joined forces to explore how food and green waste collection could look in urban centres on the coast from 2030 onwards.
Food and green waste collection on the West Coast has finished this stage
People on the West Coast could provide feedback about their food and green waste practices and preferences.
Community feedback closed - 29 July 2024
Food and green waste collection on the West Coast has finished this stage
The community survey closed.
Community survey results published - August 2024
Food and green waste collection on the West Coast has finished this stage
The results of the food and green waste collection survey carried out in July were published.
Drafting feasability study - September to May 2024
Food and green waste collection on the West Coast is currently at this stage
The insights from the community survey and the rubbish audits will provide the data for the regional feasibility study for food and green waste collection and processing services on the West Coast.
Feasability Study published - May 2024
this is an upcoming stage for Food and green waste collection on the West Coast
The feasibility study will be presented to the West Coast Councils and guide any further decisions to determine the best approach for kerbside collection of food scraps and green waste,
Decision on next steps - mid 2025
this is an upcoming stage for Food and green waste collection on the West Coast
Based on the outcome of the feasibility study, the three District Councils involved will decide on the next steps, which will likely include a business case.
