WasteMINZ is calling for bipartisan support to prioritise
waste, resource recovery and contaminated land management in
New Zealand, following the Government’s decision to delay
the introduction of new waste legislation.
The
government recently announced that drafting of the amended
waste legislation is presently on hold, and waste
legislation will not be introduced to the House this
Parliamentary term. A proposal to phase out PVC and
polystyrene from food and beverage packaging has also been
delayed indefinitely due to “other Government
priorities”.
WasteMINZ chief executive Nic Quilty
said the sector had been waiting for regulatory certainty
for years. Delaying reform risked further investment
uncertainty, missed economic opportunities, and continued
pressure on councils, businesses and
communities.
“We are extremely disappointed that the
waste legislation won’t be introduced to the House this
parliamentary term.
“New Zealand cannot achieve its
economic, environmental, housing and productivity goals
without a modern, fit-for-purpose waste and resource
recovery system. This starts with effective waste
legislation.
“This sector has been resilient in the
face of constant shifts of policy direction, such as a
comprehensive waste strategy and measurable outcomes being
scrapped in lieu of vague and unmeasurable goals. We can’t
wait forever or we risk falling even further behind other,
similar countries who know that waste systems are a priority
and act on it.”
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New Zealanders generate almost two
kilos of rubbish per person, per day – more than twice the
global average. At the same time, our material productivity
(how much economic value a country creates from the
materials it consumes) is just 59% of the average of OECD
countries, despite the fact that we consume more materials
per capita.
Nic said waste and resource recovery was
too important and too long-term to be treated as a partisan
issue.
The waste, resource recovery and contaminated
land management sectors are essential economic
infrastructure that contribute more than $3.3 billion to New
Zealand’s economy. Yet policy delays and underinvestment are
preventing New Zealand from capturing significant economic,
environmental and productivity gains.
A clear,
enduring legislative framework supported across Parliament
would provide the confidence needed to unlock investment,
accelerate infrastructure delivery and create
jobs.
“Every New Zealander generates waste. Every
community depends on functioning waste and resource recovery
services. Every government, regardless of political
persuasion, requires the infrastructure that enables
economic development while protecting public health and the
environment.
“Durable and bipartisan support for
waste legislation reform is
essential.”
Notes:
WasteMINZ is the largest
representative body of Aotearoa New Zealand’s waste,
resource recovery and contaminated land sectors. We are the
authoritative voice on waste, resource recovery and
contaminated land management in New Zealand, with members
from small and large waste operators, materials recovery
facilities, community groups, researchers, food rescue
groups, major supermarkets, tech companies, packaging
producers, contaminated land specialists, territorial
authorities, consultants and many others looking to make a
difference to the environment.
Recent WasteMINZ
research outlines the waste, resource recovery and
contaminated land management sectors’ contribution to the
economy.
A brief overview of the waste policies
announced in New Zealand is below:
