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The system at present
The future of rubbish
Performance measures
Costs
Negative effects
The system at present
 Operational landfill sites are located in Putaruru and Tokoroa. Greenwaste mulching takes place in Tirau and Tokoroa. All of these sites are managed for Council by private operators in accordance with Council’s Landfill Management Plans. The service includes research and some waste minimisation education.
The litter collection service ensures that there are adequate bins in public places and that these are properly maintained and emptied. General litter collection from kerbs and channels, some road berms and water tables is also part of this service. There has been increasing expenditure to deal with illegal dumping and cars illegally abandoned on roadsides. New litter bins are planned for Putaruru during the next three years. The balance of litter receptacles are replaced on a regular basis. The Litter Collection service is funded 100% through Uniform Annual General Charge and/or Additional Dwelling(s) Rate.
Council provides weekly refuse and fortnightly kerbside recyclable collection from defined areas (mostly urban) paying for this service, in Arapuni, Putaruru, Tirau and Tokoroa. A new recycling service is currently on trial in Arapuni and Atiamuri. The Refuse Collection service is funded 100% through a targeted rate on a uniform basis on each separately used or inhabited portion of a rating unit.
Council does not operate hazardous waste disposal systems except for receiving surplus agrichemicals at Tokoroa. These are destroyed by Environment Waikato as a regional service.
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The future of our rubbish
There is an increasing expectation of Council to improve the litter collection service. However, Council owned receptacles are currently considered fit for their purpose.
It is anticipated that the volumes of refuse will decrease due to public education, increasing waste minimisation actions, declining population, and improving financial returns from some selected recycled products. Residents can expect a hygienic, clean environment from the services. Council is confident it delivers on this service.
Putaruru landfill is due to close in 2007 and Council plans to replace it with a transfer station, the capital cost of which is expected to exceed $300,000. It is Council's current policy that a new transfer station would be funded through a combination of Uniform Annual General Charge and/or Entry Fees.
A landfill gate collection charge increase per tonne across all other income streams will be implemented.
- Council’s ten year plan includes:
- Preparing a new lined landfill cell.
- Improving recycling.
- The continued weighing of refuse at the Tokoroa landfill.
- The pumping of leachate to the Tokoroa Sewage Treatment Plant.
It is expected that the Tokoroa landfill will fill more quickly once the Putaruru facility is closed. The need for additional facilities at Tokoroa will be dependent on the amount of waste being deposited. The Tokoroa landfill is currently expected to close between 2015 and 2021. The site will maintain sufficient capacity within the 10 year plan, but there is adequate land to form a new landfill when the first lined cell is full.
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Performance measures
- Council’s recycling target is a minimum of 5% of total solid waste that is taken to the landfill.
- At least 95% of residents rate the waste collection service as average, good or very good.
- At least 85% of residents rate landfill sites as average, good or very good.
- At least 88% of residents rate litter control as average, good or very good.
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Costs
The forecast operating cost for all litter and waste management services is as follows:
Year ending 30 June 2005 $1,674,000
Year ending 30 June 2006 $1,789,000
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Negative effects of landfill entry fees
Negative effects relate to public problems such as littering and dumping of waste in rural areas or reserves to avoid landfill charges. The public are encouraged to avoid environmental problems by correctly disposing of waste and litter, and using the landfill facilities correctly.
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