Following a national review of the New Zealand Waste Strategy and as required by the Waste Minimisation Act, Council adopted a new Waste Management and Minimisation Plan in 2016 with a vision to minimise waste to landfill.
Traditional development industry views on waste included a belief that it is only created by contractors on site. However, the decisions made by developers and designers can have a significant influence on:
- The type of waste produced on a project.
- The amount of waste produced on a project.
- The construction method e.g. whether to excavate and dump, abandon, demolish or retrofit as the method of choice, the design / construction specifications that are prescribed.
- Material / Product selection.
Minimisation of waste reduces the environmental impact of development. It can result in financial savings, create opportunities for improved cost / benefit results and provides a “feel-good” factor relating to achieving environmentally responsible project outcomes.
Developers and designers are encouraged to discuss waste minimisation considerations & options with Councils Manager: Resource Recovery & Waste prior to the commencement of design and / or the production of construction specifications.
Explanatory Note:
DS-1.7.1 Project Principles
Developers and designers are encouraged to ensure waste reduction is an integral part of their project by:
- Committing to a waste minimisation philosophy.
- Researching and gathering information.
- Establishing waste minimisation goals.
- Carefully considering site development, use and disestablishment.
These principles should then carry through and influence the concept design, detailed design, material / product selection, documentation and construction methods.
DS-1.7.2 Design Considerations
The following are considerations that a designer is encouraged to incorporate into their design philosophy:
- Identify reuse and recycling opportunities for proposed new materials, products, excess materials i.e. concrete, soil and existing materials and products to be removed as part of the project.
- Identify the volume and type of waste material generated by the project.
- Identify appropriate destinations for waste products that require specialist treatment e.g. hazardous substances, contaminated soils, asbestos etc.
- Reduce vegetation removal (this often becomes solid waste).
- Identify vegetation-composting opportunities.
- Design to the contours of the land. Minimise cut and fill to ensure minimal impact due to soil excavation.
- Use materials that have a long-term asset life and have a reuse value after their primary operating timeframe expires.
- Identify opportunities to reuse existing materials
- Provide appropriate loading and storage for private rubbish bins / compost bins / recycling within private lots or designated areas.
- Provide appropriate loading, storage, pick up areas and accessibility for collection vehicles to undertake collection.
Definitions in this section
Contractor
Council
Design
Designer
Developer