Major change to Taupō recycling
At the beginning of this year, China stopped accepting plastic waste. As a result, Taupō District Council will no longer be taking plastics with the code 3-7. This will begin on October 1. Contractors will put a message in the bin if you have recycled 3-7 plastics. Cans, bottles and some plastics will still be accepted, but the rest - such as yoghurt pottles, ice cream containers, shampoo bottles - will be considered rubbish.
These codes - 3-7 plastics - have been recyclable since 2006, so Taupō residents had become used to putting these plastics into the recycle bin. That process had seen them able to divert about 34 million containers from landfill.
Taupō District Council say, "Look at the plastic to find the triangle with the number on it. We will accept 1-2 plastics, 3-7 will need to go into a refuse bag. People need to think about what they purchase, consumers can drive the change in the market, we want you to go in and think about alternatives."
Read the full story here.
Image: Stuff
Poll: Do you think banning gang patches is reasonable?
With the government cracking down on gangs, it is now illegal for gang members to display their insignia in public places whether through clothing or their property.
This means arrests can be made if these patches are worn in places like restaurants, shops, on public transport or ferries, and on airplanes. Arrests were made recently at a funeral.
Do you think this ban is reasonable?
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76.4% Yes
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22.3% No
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1.3% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
Poll: Should all neighbours have to contribute to improvements?
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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82.1% Yes
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15.2% No
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2.7% Other - I'll share below