City Scene - March 2002:

March 2002

Lead Stories

Council's phone face gives callers a buzz

Live Tall: It's about people and reaching our potential

Computers in the Community partnership

World-Class ensemble to visit from sister city

Christchurch top spot for convention-goers

March 2002 index

Libraries striving to reduce waste

Fendalton Library and Service Centre has reduced the amount of rubbish it sends to landfill each month by more than 70 per cent. On a weekly basis, that’s a reduction from eight bags to an average of two.

Instead of throwing waste in the bin, staff now sort their rubbish using a three-tiered trolley. One tier is for reusable paper, one for recyclable paper and one for reusable items such as plastic tubes, folders and ring binders.

Any reusable material is collected by Creative Junk and distributed to creches, kindergartens and primary schools. Reusable paper is made into notepads. And instead of throwing food waste in the rubbish bin, staff dispose of scraps in an organic food-composting unit.

The decrease is due to a trial waste minimisation programme that’s been under way at the library since September last year. The programme was a success and is being brought in at the Central Library. It is already running at nine community libraries in the city.

The Target Zero Waste Minimisation Programme is a Christchurch City Council initiative that works with Christchurch businesses to save money and reduce environmental impacts.

The libraries set up a Target Zero team to look at how waste could be reduced. A programme was developed with help from a waste minimisation expert and the Timaru District Council which has a programme up and running.

Target Zero team leader Lindsay Dell says the success of the programme comes down to people taking individual responsibility for their rubbish.

Civic Offices follow libraries’ lead

The scheme to cut the amount of waste going to landfill is also making its way through the Council’s Civic Offices in Tuam Street.

Following the lead of the Fendalton Library and

Service Centre and the Timaru District Council, the Zero Waste to Landfill philosophy and practice is being introduced to nearly 800 staff in the building.

As at the libraries, there are no rubbish bins at people’s desks (they have recycling trays for paper and other interesting material that goes to the Council’s creches) and bins for organic waste are used. Kerbside recycling crates for glass and aluminium are also used.

The drop in the amount of waste to landfill is expected to be similar to that in the libraries, but with nearly 800 staff to introduce it to, it will be a few months before a clear picture of savings is obtained.