New Zealand reviews waste minimization act
The Ministry for the Environment in New Zealand has been collecting data through a national discussion paper designed to get feedback on: Revising the targets for the New Zealand Waste Strategy Identifying products that are priorities for product stewardship Identifying funding criteria for the Waste Minimisation Fund Monitoring waste in New Zealand Improving the operation of the waste levy.The paper aims to generate the best ideas for updating and improving the strategies laid out in the 2002 New Zealand Waste Strategy. This previous legislation laid out objectives for reducing waste, using resources efficiently, recovering resources from the waste stream and managing residual waste effectively. The document outlines preferred policy options with reference to the new Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and seeks feedback on the waste levy. The best ways to spend the waste levy are strategies which provide an incentive to avoid waste and develop waste minimization infrastructure. The New Zealand Government also supports increased producer responsibility ie. Greater responsibility for reuse of end of life products and the design of products which can be recycled.