“We have to create the kind of future we want right now, where we redesign, reuse, and repair items, and recycle and compost - not burn valuable resources and pollute the environment,” said Dorte Wray, general manager of Zero Waste Aotearoa.

“Attacks on the Waste Minimisation Fund at both central and local government level have been noticed. These are unacceptable. These funds must be used for waste minimisation at the top of the zero waste hierarchy (Reduce, Reuse, Repair) not for underwriting dodgy waste-to-energy schemes that do not address the sources of waste.”

The day of action includes two events.

Outside Ministry for the Environment

We will be showcasing real solutions outside the Ministry for the Environment at 8 Willis Street, Wellington, at 12 noon on Tuesday, 30 September. We will be showing what solutions can deliver meaningful impacts for waste and climate change while also providing employment and strengthening community resilience.

Online Webinar

We will be hosting an online webinar to discuss waste-to-energy incineration and the alternatives we have available right now on Tuesday, 30 September 7:30pm on zoom.

Speakers are: 

Dale-Maree Morgan, Waipā District Council Māori Ward Councillor, will talk about the Te Awamutu incinerator, the community opposition, the Board of Inquiry hearing and the outcome

Sue Coutts, Zero Waste Aotearoa, will discuss new waste-to-energy technologies and practices we are hearing about (like feeding hard-to-recycle plastics into the cement kiln) and why these are not real solutions

Giulio Laura, Site Manager at Tāmaki Zero Waste Hub, will speak about the work that Tāmaki Zero Waste is doing, about how to conceptualise waste differently and how to move beyond throwing things away.

The events are part of a global day of action organised by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA), an umbrella organisation representing communities across the globe committed to a world where people are free from the burden of toxic pollution, and resources are sustainably conserved, not burned or dumped.