1255 days ago

The councillor who generates just two bags of rubbish a year

Nicole Reporter from Dunedin News

As Dunedin councillors debate the pros and cons of a new kerbside recycling scheme, one councillor has revealed they barely generate any waste at all.

Dunedin residents currently have a large yellow-lidded wheelie bin for recyclables and a blue crate for glass. They can buy black plastic bags for general household waste.

The 45-litre and 60-litre bags will be consigned to the scrap heap though as the council’s preferred option is to add a general waste bin to be collected fortnightly and a food waste bin to be collected weekly.

The move would cost ratepayers between $270 and $310 a year.

The cost would increase further if a household opted for the addition of a fortnightly garden waste bin.

At a meeting discussing the council’s 10-year plan on Tuesday, Cr Steve Walker said the preferred option was the closest match to the city's waste management goals, and would help wrest back control of a system that had become eroded by private contractors.

The option was also supported by the majority of residents, he noted.

The food waste option could serve as a “wake-up call” for residents. Household habits may change when people saw their waste “looking at you in the face”.

Walker said he regularly bored people by saying he and his wife only put out two black bags per year, and he had no plan to stop talking about reducing waste.

That led to a debate over waste minimisation, including from Cr Rachel Elder who noted the dress she was wearing was second-hand.

“We have to pull all the levers to change what is happening in this world.”

Cr Carmen Houlahan supported the change, but said if Walker had children his rubbish “would increase a lot”.

She noted a lot of rubbish was generated from children’s lunches, including uneaten lunches.

“The real world is people like me who have kids and run around and fill up bins with too much rubbish.”

Cr Sophie Barker said children could be offered a banana instead of a purchased item wrapped in plastic, as it was a “self-wrapped morning tea”.

Mayor Aaron Hawkins said it was an “exciting opportunity” to change the city’s kerbside collection system.

He was pleased plastic bags would no longer be used for household waste, saying they were not only harmful to the environment but also posed a danger to contractors.

The council would now work with interested parties on the design of the scheme, but would still consider alternative collection options for those who lived in high density residential areas.

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More messages from your neighbours
1 day ago

Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.

Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.

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Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
  • 64.3% Yes
    64.3% Complete
  • 33.2% No
    33.2% Complete
  • 2.5% Other - I'll share below
    2.5% Complete
1502 votes
20 hours ago

Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?

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.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
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.

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22 days ago

What's your favourite recipe for gooseberry?

Mei Leng Wong Reporter from NZ Gardener & Get Growing

Love gooseberries? Share your favourite way to enjoy them. We're looking for our readers' favourite family recipes for this delicious crop. Send yours to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the magazine, you will receive a free copy of our December 2024 issue.

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