Waste

New Zealand urgently needs to convert the 10 million kilograms of waste we throw out every day into resources. The Government and industry have taken baby steps to address the problem, but landfills continue to pollute our groundwater - there is so much more we can do. New Zealand prides itself on our beautiful surroundings, yet we are behind many countries in our recycling and waste reduction programmes. It is time to step up. The Green Party's Waste Minimisation Bill passed into law in 2008 with the support of all parties in parliament. If you want to be kept up to date on waste issues, e-mail Russel Norman's office: anne.heins@parliament.govt.nz Read our waste policy . The Government has released a discussion paper on implementing the Waste Bill - including new waste strategy targets and priority products for product stewardship. Click here for our submission guide. Submissions close 15 May 2009.

What's New

Finding Riches In Our Rubbish

02 Jul 2009

A new Green waste levy came into force this week that will begin to revolutionise the way we deal with our rubbish. I talk to the architect himself—Nandor Tanczos—about the law, pigouvian taxes, and how to find riches in our rubbish.

Smart economic tool reduces waste from tomorrow

30 Jun 2009

New Zealand takes a major step towards waste reduction tomorrow with the introduction of a smart economic incentive, said the Green Party. "This tool is smart economics... It's a ‘polluter-pays so people-save’ solution."

Action Alert - Submission Guide on Government's Waste discussion document

01 May 2009

The Government has recently released a discussion document on how to implement our Waste Minimisation Act, and is calling for public submissions. This discussion document is very weak, and the Government needs to hear that New Zealanders want to see meaningful action on waste reduction. Submissions close on Friday May 15.

Clean up your act – Tasman Mills

28 Apr 2009

The Green Party today called on Tasman Mills to do the right thing and invest in clean technology to stop their on-going discharge of toxic chemicals into the Tarawera River.

“Good stuff Foodstuffs!”, Greens say

17 Apr 2009

The Green Party today described the decision of Foodstuffs supermarkets to introduce a 5c per plastic bag charge as a welcome step forward. Green Party Co-leader Russel Norman said, “Good stuff Foodstuffs! I’m pleased to see the next step voluntarily taken to reduce plastic bag use being taken.”