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25. 6. 97
RECOVERED MATERIALS SPECIAL COMMITTEE
11 JUNE 1997
A meeting of the Recovered Materials Special Committee
was held on Wednesday 11 June 1997 at 12 noon
PRESENT: Councillor Denis O'Rourke (Chairman), Councillors David Close, Ian Howell and Garry Moore, Messrs Chris Pickrill, Mark Prain and Peter Townsend.
IN ATTENDANCE: Messrs Piet Beukman (Consultant),
Blair Nelson (post-graduate student)
and Martin Homisan (volunteer assistant).
APOLOGY: An apology for absence was received and accepted from Mr Mike Hannah.
Councillor Moore retired at 1.30 pm and was absent for part of clause 3, and clause 4.
The Committee reports that:
PART B - REPORTS FOR INFORMATION
The Chairman extended a warm welcome to Mr Martin Homisan. Mr Homisan, who has a techno-business background and experience in the recycling industry in Europe, is seeking to act as a volunteer general assistant to Mr Piet Beukman for the two month period until the Recovered Materials Foundation meeting of August 1997.
1. REPORT OF THE RECOVERED MATERIALS PUBLICITY SUB-COMMITTEE
The Chairman of the Recovered Materials Publicity Sub-Committee (Mr Mark Prain) presented his report to the Special Committee (copy attached).
The Committee decided that Councillor Denis O'Rourke be confirmed as key spokesman for both the Recovered Materials Special Committee and the Recovered Materials Foundation.
2. CONSULTANT'S REPORT: MR PIET BEUKMAN
This report covered Mr Beukman's activities as consultant from May up to 11 June 1997.
2.1 RMF ADMINISTRATION
Discussions have been held on the proposed accounting system with the Canterbury Development Corporation, the Council and KPMG. It is envisaged that KPMG will be contracted to handle the RMF's accounting matters from 1 July 1997.
2.2 RMF ESTABLISHMENT
Staff Appointment
Progress has been made with the transfer of Waste Management Unit (WMU) staff to the RMF. The RMF will take on one WMU staff member as a Research and Education Officer in lieu of one operator on the Glass Processing System (GPS) site.
The meeting was advised that Martin Homisan will assist the RMF on a voluntary basis (by mutual consent) for a two month trial. Research assistance is also being provided by students.
Funding
An application to the Trustbank Community Trust for support (ca$80,000) will be processed in June.
2.3 GPS ESTABLISHMENT
Drive Equipment for Crushing Glass
A drive system for the glass crushing plant, capable of crushing 40 tonnes per hour, has been purchased and is proving very successful.
Property Lease
Discussions have been held with the Council Property Manager regarding lease of part of the Parkhouse site. It was noted that fixed developments and plant will be owned by the Christchurch City Council.
3. RECYCLED NEWSPAPER
3.1 REPORT OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT UNIT
The Committee received a report from the Waste Management Unit which provided an update on the previous report to the Special Committee in February 1997.
3.2 REPORT FROM MR BLAIR NELSON
A report prepared by Mr Blair Nelson was circulated to the meeting (copy attached). Mr Nelson outlined market research he has been undertaking, which will be reported to a later meeting.
3.3 GENERAL DISCUSSION
The following points were made during the general discussion which ensued:
Difficulties are being encountered with some lines of imported glass, as it is proving to be too thin to be recycled satisfactorily.
The need for the Council to consider carefully the type of paper used in-house and for documents for public circulation was noted. It was noted the Council has a waste minimisation programme in place.
Following attendance at the "Pathways to Sustainability Conference" the week prior to the meeting, Councillor Close advised that Australia is about to commence an extensive recycling programme, with legislation for local government stipulating a 60% reduction on waste by the year 2000. It would be reasonable to anticipate this would increase the amount of newsprint on the world market, which would endorse the need to develop local markets.
The use of paper bags for green waste collection was suggested.
Martin Homisan stressed it is important to aim at the highly sophisticated market for the end product, and cited examples of the European experience with recycled paper being incorporated in high grade furniture making, glass for sandblasting and the manufacture of vacuum glass bricks for construction.
It was noted that there may be provision under the Local Government Act Amendment No 4 for the Council to licence all bars and hotels to separate glass for recycling.
It was decided that the Recovered Materials Special Committee recommend to the City Services Committee that it investigate the opportunities which may arise for waste minimisation from the licensing provisions of the Local Government Act Amendment No 4.
The Committee received Blair Nelson's report and decided that the report be submitted to the Council.
The Committee decided to support any initiative that the Christchurch City Council may take through the Canterbury Waste Joint Standing Committee to lobby central Government to initiative local waste minimisation programmes.
4. REFUSE COLLECTION FROM PRIVATE RIGHTS OF WAY (LANES)
This report, prepared by the Christchurch City Council Waste Manager, and adopted by the Council at its meeting on 28 May 1997, was reported to the Recovered Materials Special Committee for information.
The Committee received the information.
5. NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Recovered Materials Special Committee will be held on Friday 11 July 1997, at 12 noon in the No 1 Committee Room.
An apology for this meeting was tendered by Mr Peter Townsend.
The meeting concluded at 1.45 pm
CONSIDERED THIS 25TH DAY OF JUNE 1997
MAYOR