The WWP’s SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production) goal for the Waikato is that by 2030 there is a 50% reduction in Waste to landfill in our region. 

The WWP recognises the importance of those goal not only from an environmental point of view but across a wide range of other wellbeing goals. Consistent with our operating model, we are supportive of efforts to deepen our insight into the way the “waste system” in the Waikato really works, and to them use that insight to support ways to meet our shared goal.

Along with the Waikato Regional Council and Ministry for the Environment’s Waste Minimisation Fund, we are co-funding research to explore economically viable options for putting organics, including food and garden waste, to best use.

The two-year research project builds on research published earlier this year into the opportunities in the Waikato to develop a deeper understanding of circular economy concepts. Waikato Regional Council has had a waste strategy in place since 2012. While previous strategies focused on responsible waste management and waste minimisation, the focus now is to prevent waste all together through better product and systems design.

Last week with manu taki Rick Thorpe and Valerie Bianchi we hosted the first webinar for the Waikato Responsible Consumption Challenge. Facilitated by Rick, the webinar included an update from Val on the above research.  We also had fantastic presentations from Te Rua Wallace at Para Kore, Gary Kelk from Aotearoa Zero Waste Network, Phil Holland from MyNoke and Liz Stanway at Extreme Zero Waste.

You can watch the webinar here: https://lnkd.in/gEnR6_gF

For more information contact: 

Rick Thorp: rick@xtremezerowaste.org.nz

Valerie Bianchi: valerie.bianchi@waikatoregion.govt.nz