Bright ideas sought to stem landfill growth
Local innovators and tinkerers are being asked to come up with ideas that will support and boost environmental sustainability in the community. The Hutt City Council is for the first time allocating environmental sustainability grants and wants locals to focus on reducing the amount of solid waste going to the landfill. The Silverstream landfill is rapidly filling and has blown its allocated budget for the past four years, costing nearly $850,000 last year, $250,000 over budget. However, most of these costs are recuperated through user pays charges and a landfill tax levy, says Hutt City environmental sustainability officer Sandy Beathcroft. ?The council is still making a good income off the landfill. ?It pays for improvements such as stopping waste-liquid leaking into streams,? says Mrs Beathcroft. The largest quantity of waste entering the landfill is organic material, such as garden and kitchen scraps, followed by hazardous material and timber. The council doesn?t want people to limit their thinking to just the landfill, says environmental sustainability officer Nicolette West. ?We want people to look at anything and everything; water conservation, bio-diversity. ?The whole thing must demonstrate community benefits that will show tangible results,? says Ms West. The grant is available for community groups, educational institutes and businesses, but not individuals. Council has suggested the following ideas to get the ball rolling; a worm farm, compost bin or other waste minimisation initiative, water tanks or other water saving measures, solar hot water, insulation or heat pumps, community gardens and environmental community events. ?The aim is to encourage groups to undertake green activities that will improve sustainability,? says Ms West. The activity must not be profit-making and must primarily benefit the community of Hutt City. The closing date for applications is October 31 and projects must be completed by 30 June 2010. For details or to download an application form visit www.huttcity.govt.nz/funding
