1008 days ago

Coat hangers and takeaway cups found in Porirua’s recycling

Porirua City Council

An audit of Porirua’s recycling has confirmed contamination is occurring regularly.

This month, recycling ambassadors have been out around the city on recycling days in their electric vehicle. During the first two weeks of inspections, four collection days exceeded the 14 per cent contamination threshold, meaning that recycling load must go to the landfill. The highest day of contamination was 33 per cent.

So far a total of 3773 bins have been inspected and 13 per cent of those were contaminated.

The recycling ambassadors will continue to check recycling as the start of Porirua’s 3-Strikes Process nears on 28 February – once this begins, if we find non-recyclable or contaminated items in your bin, you’ll get a warning sticker. If you receive two warning stickers and a red card, you could lose your bin.

The main problem reported by the ambassadors is general household rubbish all mixed in together, Porirua’s Manager Water & Waste, David Down, said. “Nearly two-thirds of the contaminated recycling bins found during the audit so far has general household items in it, such as takeaway and coffee containers, polystyrene, plastic food containers, dirty nappies, tissues and food wrappers,” he said.

“We’ve also had really odd items like basketballs, coat hangers, handbags and chipboard. Things like this mean that other potentially valuable recycling material is ending up in the landfill.”

A common mistake is leaving lids on bottles.

“Please, remember to remove your lids from all plastic and glass bottles and jars. Anything smaller than a credit card can’t be recycled – it is too small to be processed correctly,” Mr Down said.

It is important Porirua gets its recycling right, so we have sent flyers to all Porirua residents, explaining the 3-Strikes Process in detail. There is also a short video on our website explaining how to recycle correctly, and you can always ring our contact centre on 04 237 5089 to ask questions.

Similar initiatives are occurring in other cities, including Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin
Find out more

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More messages from your neighbours
19 minutes ago

Riddle Alert! Who’s Up for Some Brain-Busting Fun?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

4-letter word, always done tomorrow,
We’re out of tea, the ultimate sorrow!
Without the eye, you owe me some money,
No sugar no nectar no sweetness no honey,
4-letter word, if by chance you choose,
You can never win, you can only lose!
What is the 4-letter word?

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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4 days ago

Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

An Auckland court has ruled a woman doesn’t have to contribute towards the cost of fixing a driveway she shares with 10 neighbours.

When thinking about fences, driveways or tree felling, for example, do you think all neighbours should have to pay if the improvements directly benefit them?

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Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
  • 82.4% Yes
    82.4% Complete
  • 14.9% No
    14.9% Complete
  • 2.7% Other - I'll share below
    2.7% Complete
1607 votes
9 hours ago

Beginners Chainsaw Training

Kevin from Harbour City Tree Care

CHRISTMAS CHAINSAWS
For those who are getting a chainsaw for Christmas or want one.
Or are you thinking about buying a chainsaw and wanting to know what to get?
How do I sharpen my saw, what other equipment do I need and how do I use it safely?
If you want the answer to any of these questions and more - 

THEN THIS IS THE COURSE FOR YOU !!!
An entertaining and informative 2 hour session on all aspects of using and maintaining one of the most versatile tools you will ever own.
We are running sessions in December, January and February so if you are interested in attending, then ring Kevin on 0274-423-859 to register your interest

$50.00 pp

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