Public views on waste important

WHEELIE bins or rubbish bags are among options listed in the Manawatu District Council’s Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Plan’s discussion document that is about to be sent out to all district ratepayers for feedback.

Wastes Manager, Peterson Asante, said the plan outlined how council wanted to manage waste in the district in the foreseeable future and the public had until August 30 to provide feedback to the services proposed.

“It is quite a significant document as it shows where council wants to go and its planned contribution to the environment.”

Mr Asante said the proposals when adopted would be part of the plan until 2016, so it was important for people to have their say.

“Council is targeting a 20 percent reduction in the amount of waste going to landfills by 2016 and it wants the community to become more active in recycling and re-use of waste materials.”

Kerbside refuse bag collections would continue, he said, but council wanted to know if residents preferred wheelie bins rather than a prepaid rubbish bag.

Residents not on collection routes could continue taking refuse bags to the local transfer station and council would still provide Feilding’s CBD with a refuse collection service.

Mr Asante said proposals on refuse transfer stations included the viability of a new station for Himatangi Beach; the closure of the Bunnythorpe station, but retention of its recycling facility, and a reduction in hours at Kimbolton.

Council was also proposing a kerbside recycling collection to towns other than Feilding and establishing recycling facilities in eight rural townships as well as two new stations in Feilding.

Other details regarding waste services and funding options are also contained in the discussion document.