Manukau to start recycling

By ALAN PERROTT

Roadside recycling collections will start in Manukau City next April.

The service will operate alongside normal rubbish and inorganic collections and offers residents a weekly collection for paper, cardboard, glass, aluminium cans and some plastics.

Manukau city councillor Noel Burnside said residents created about 2kg of waste each every day.

This figure compares with 0.9kg in Sydney and 1.5kg in Brisbane.

Mr Burnside said while the service was a good step toward reducing the city's waste stream, the council should continue to look for new ways to discourage waste production.

In November 1998, the council reversed a decision to introduce user-pays rubbish collections, a move Mayor Sir Barry Curtis said "destroyed" Manukau's efforts to reduce waste.

The scheme offered residents year-long contracts as an alternative to paying $1 a bag for rubbish removal.

Tenders for the new recycling service have been called for and Manukau expects the successful bid to be announced in October.

A one-off sum has been included in Manukau City's 2000-2001 annual plan for start-up costs, such as new bins, and a public education programme.

Manukau City senior policy analyst Patricia Facenfield will not say how much money has been provided for fear of showing the city's hand to potential tenders.

Rates will pay for ongoing costs.