10 March 2021
Media: Rotorua Daily Post
Topic: Knives found in community pantry
Enquiry
I am working on a live story this evening regarding a lovely lady on Osiris St who said this week she found a box of knives in the community pantry, something she believes was dumped there as she has previously found a dirty mattress there too.
She had concerns regarding community safety, and I would like to get some comment from council, as I understand these community pantries are often on council land, being the berm of the street.
What is councils response to this situation?
What does the council think about community pantrys[sic]?
Would council discourage community pantrys to avoid dumping?
Response
From Prashant Praveen, Sustainability and Solid Waste Manager -
"We understand community pantries are a community initiative with the purpose of sharing and repurposing household items. From an environmental perspective, this is a great way to reduce waste going to landfill.
"We encourage the community to use community pantries for their intended purpose and not as a dumping ground for general waste.
"We also encourage the community to consider what they're leaving in community pantries, and whether those items may pose a health and safety risk to the community."