- The Invercargill City Council is engaging with the community on its draft Long-term Plan 2024-34, focusing on reducing landfill waste through a new glass recycling initiative.
- Residents are presented with two options: a blue 140-litre glass recycling bin for each serviced property or the installation of bottle banks, each with specific costs and impacts on annual recycling rates.
- Feedback is encouraged via various channels, emphasizing the Council’s commitment to informed decision-making based on community input.
As part of its dedication to environmental sustainability and waste reduction, the Invercargill City Council is considering the introduction of a glass recycling program, detailed in its draft Long-term Plan for the upcoming decade. The proposal aims to tackle the issue of landfill waste and seeks public feedback to guide its implementation.
The Council outlines two distinct options for community consideration:
- Preferred option: Introduce a new blue glass recycling bin at every property currently receiving recycling services. This approach involves a capital cost of $1.65m in the 2024/2025 fiscal year, with ongoing operational costs of $620,000 annually. If adopted, this option would result in an increase in the annual targeted rate for recycling services by $29.72, bringing it to a total of $271.73 per household.
- Alternative option: Set up new bottle banks (six in Invercargill, two in Bluff) for public glass recycling. This strategy requires a lower initial investment of $47,821 and annual operational costs of $276,635. However, it would lead to more glass waste being disposed of in rubbish bins, thereby increasing landfill waste and related costs. Adopting this option would raise the annual targeted recycling rate by $12.57 per household, to $254.58.
Rhiannon Suter, Manager of Strategy, Policy, and Engagement, emphasized the Council’s eagerness to collect feedback on this proposal among other projects presented in the draft LTP. The aim is to gather diverse perspectives from residents, businesses, and community groups to ensure decisions are well-informed and reflective of the community’s preferences.
This initiative represents a significant step towards improving waste management and environmental protection in Invercargill, highlighting the Council’s proactive approach to engaging with its citizens on important local issues.
For times and location information on in-person sessions, visit letstalk.icc.govt.nz
You can also send in a video submission via letstalk.icc.govt.nz, or set up a ‘cuppa and a chat’ with the team by booking a slot online at letstalk.icc.govt.nz emailing [email protected] or calling 03 211 1777.