Food and green waste collection survey results published

Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils have published the results of the food and green waste collection survey carried out in July this year.

In May 2023, central government developed a policy that by 2030, all district and city councils must offer food and green waste collection for urban areas with over 1,000 residents. This affects Westport, Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika.

The three West Coast District Councils—Buller, Grey, and Westland are collaborating with the Ministry for the Environment and Development West Coast on a feasibility study to prepare for this change required around food and green waste collection. The study focuses on the urban areas of Westport, Reefton, Greymouth and Hokitika. Runanga will be covered as part of Greymouth due to its proximity. Likewise, Carters Beach will be included as part of Westport.

A survey was open from July 8 to 29, 2024, and asked residents across the West Coast about their food and green waste practices and preferences. A total of 478 survey responses were received from people living across the three West Coast Districts. 266 responses were from people living in the Grey District, 122 were from people living in Buller, 87 Westland residents responded, and three did not provide a location.

The survey found that West Coast residents mainly manage food waste through home composting or worm farming (43%), with 31% disposing of their food waste in general rubbish and 18% feeding their food waste to animals. For green waste, home composting is most common (37%), followed by disposal with household rubbish (21%) and disposal at facilities (20%).

Over 91% of respondents value sound waste management. More than 66% would consider a council food waste collection service, and over 78% would consider a garden waste service. Preferences for collection methods show that 44% of respondents preferred a single bin, 19% preferred separate bins, and 6% for drop-off, with 37% preferring weekly and 43% preferring fortnightly collection.

Despite community support for improved waste management, there is widespread reluctance to pay for a collection service. The survey results showed that 71% of the respondents would not be willing to pay for a food waste and green waste collection service. However, there is considerable support for community schemes that may be able to provide more cost-effective solutions for the West Coast. Councils will explore both council-led and community-led options during the next stages and will also identify suitable organic waste processing options for the West Coast.

Grey District Council’s Solid Waste Officer Kaia Beal says: “The community survey has given us a sense of how much there is to gain through better food and green waste management.”

Westland District Council’s Operations Project Manager, David Louw, highlights: “Beside the quantitative data, we gathered hundreds of suggestions on how councils could improve food and garden waste management on the West Coast”.

Buller District Council’s Group Manager Infrastructure Services, Michael Aitken stated that “these figures indicate there are opportunities to develop more sustainable practices regarding how we manage our food waste and green waste on the West Coast”.

A West Coast audit found that 26% of kerbside waste is food waste and 8.8% is green waste, consistent with findings from similar audits nationwide.

The survey and rubbish audits will provide the data for a regional feasibility study for food and green waste collection and processing services, estimated to cost $100,000. Te Pūtea Whakamauru Para—the Waste Minimisation Fund administered by the Ministry for the Environment—will fund $75,000. Development West Coast will invest $10,000, and each district council will contribute $5,000.

These insights will guide the West Coast councils in determining the best approach for kerbside collection of food scraps and green waste, including feasibility services delivery options and the ideal bin sizes and collection frequency.

The complete survey results are available on council’s website, which also includes the communities’ suggestions on how councils could improve food and garden waste management on the West Coast.

-ENDS-

For further information, please contact:

Buller District Council:
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz  

Grey District Council:
Communications@greydc.govt.nz

Westland District Council:
emma.rae@westlanddc.govt.nz