Business group supports waste initiative

By Phil Boeyen, ShareChat Business News Editor

Friday 1st March 2002

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development is backing a new waste strategy launched by central and local government.

Labelled the 'New Zealand Waste Strategy', the government says it is a broad blueprint to solve the country's waste problem, dealing with waste from generation to disposal.

"It provides targets, guidelines and economic incentives to reduce waste, and change wasteful behaviour," says Environment Minister Marian Hobbs.

The New Zealand Business Council for Sustainable Development says it is a step in the right direction.

"We support the strategy objectives of leading New Zealand towards a new operating model of resource efficiency and recovery," says chairman Stephen Tindall.

"The NZBCSD companies including The Warehouse, Telecom and Fonterra know that waste is a cost and reductions in costs go straight to the bottom line. The strategy will help to take New Zealand forward in a manner that is in line with international development on waste reduction and resource efficiency.

Mr Tindall says the implementation of the strategy needs to include "vigorous regulatory incentives."

The council is due to launch its related Zero Waste Project next week with the aim of leading New Zealand business towards zero waste by 2020. The project participants are The Warehouse, 3M, Living Earth, Waste Management, Palliser Wines and Port of Tauranga.

Marian Hobbs says the new strategy has moved away from a focus on 'end of pipe' solutions to focus on ways to prevent waste being generated.

"One of the best ways of materially helping our environment is by making and delivering what we need without creating so much waste in the first place.

"Promoting materials and resource efficiency can also result in good ideas such as Fisher and Paykel's appliance take-back scheme. Company-wide their waste reduction schemes brought in $500,000 in 2000."

The Minister says success of the strategy will depend on government, businesses and individuals working together.

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