Official Information Request - 7 March 2017

Sent: Tuesday, 4 April 2017 3:04 p.m.

Subject: TRIM: Local Government Official Information and Meetings Act request - product stewardship schemes

I refer to your email of 7 March 2017 requesting information on government funding of product stewardship schemes.

Rotorua Lakes Council has had limited involvement in any government schemes, as described below:

RLC has operated its own hazardous waste disposal collections for domestic properties which has cost on average $10k per year. While RLC once paid towards the great DDT muster, little amount of product has come from the farming sector in the Rotorua District. The actual weights diverted from the landfill is minimal and this action was undertaken by RLC to protect the waste water infrastructure and the environment.

RLC took part in TV TakeBack, however, as RLC was already paying for e-waste disposal from general rates this had minimal effect on numbers of TVs being collected. From July 2008 to June 2016, approximately 1,200 tonnes of e-waste have been diverted from the landfill at an approximate annual cost of $120k.

RLC has just started to undertake a new arrangement with the Public Place Recycling Scheme to help increase the amount of products being diverted from landfill.

If you have any further questions around waste and recycling in Rotorua, please contact Tim Senington (tim.senington@rotorualc.nz).

We are obliged to advise that you may contact the Ombudsman at the address below if you have any concerns with the response provided by Council, by writing to:

The Office of the Ombudsman

PO Box 10 152

WELLINGTON 6143

Alternatively, you may email info@ombudsman.parliament.nz or use the online complaints form available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz/make-a-complaint

Regards