Silverlining project forges ahead

Silverlining – Hutt City Council’s commercial waste reduction project – continues to grow, with three new Hutt City businesses recently signing up to join the scheme.

Z Energy Chemicals, Ferndale Furniture Limited and Goodman Fielder have each signed up Silverlining's waste audit scoping studies, carried out by Bob Robinson and Elizabeth Steer from Weltec’s Smart Business Unit. The intention is to reduce waste to landfill, and to identify long-term recycling opportunities.

Council has contracted Weltec to investigate and find solutions to reduce and recycle business waste. Weltec undertakes free audits for businesses that join Silverlining.

With the three new businesses recently joining the scheme, the number of local businesses participating is six, with more expected to join this year.

Council Environmental Sustainability Manager Jez Partridge says the Silverlining project tackles the problem of how to dispose of some difficult waste, often the by-product of manufacturing plastics, textiles and stone products.

“This is a win-win for everyone. Businesses will be able to reduce waste costs, and council will achieve its aim of reducing waste to landfill.”

Another interesting Silverlining project currently underway is a scheme to investigate and encourage restaurants, cafes and food manufacturers to compost their food waste rather than sending it to landfill.

Council hopes to partner with Wellington City Council this year, to enable businesses with food waste to send it away for composting.

For more information contact Jez Partridge, Environmental Sustainability Manager, on 570 6966 or jez.partridge@huttcity.govt.nz.