Our 2020 Waste Minimisation and Management Plan provides the strategic direction for managing Christchurch’s resource recovery activities for the next six years.

We need to think differently about waste and look for new ways to re-use the things we currently throw away. We all – Central Government, Council, individuals, businesses and the industry – need to do our part to reduce waste and look after the environment for future generations.
The 2020 Waste Management and Minimisation Plan [PDF, 3.8 MB] provides the strategic direction for waste management in Christchurch for the next six years. Our vision is that Ōtautahi-Christchurch is a sustainable city, working towards zero waste and a circular economy.
Achieving the vision
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The key methods that we will use to achieve the vision are:
- Supporting and leveraging Central Government’s work programme
- Service delivery review
- Council’s action plan
- Working together
Supporting and leveraging Central Government’s work programme
The Government is investing in resource recovery infrastructure including $16.8 million in funding for EcoCentral to update the optical and mechanical sorting machines used at the Materials Recovery Facility.
Central Government’s work programme on waste has a number of key components, as outlined in Appendix A of the plan. It addresses key issues across the sector including producer responsibility, incentives to reduce waste disposal, national consistency and better value resources.
We are working closely with Central Government and industry to develop the design and implementation of areas within the work programme.
Service delivery review
Section 17A of the Local Government Act outlines the requirements of local authorities to regularly review their services. The review is focused on governance, funding and delivery options that help improve cost effectiveness.In June 2020, the Council decided to carry out a service delivery review of solid waste services. The review is expected to start in October 2020 with final recommendations going to the Finance and Performance Committee.
The challenges facing solid waste services have been identified during the development of this plan and a number of actions required to fulfil the vision can be delivered through the s17A review process including:
- Funding mechanisms designed to support and incentivise waste minimisation
- Review of the current kerbside collection including opportunities for increased flexibility for bin sizes and separated glass collection
- Opportunities to increase the quantity and viable inputs for organics processing
- Expansion of education to schools and organisations
Council's action plan
The detailed action plan is a living document that is updated regularly. Along with the service delivery review, this outlines key activities towards achieving the objectives of Te mahere whakahaerenga para, Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2020.
The action plan is grouped into five key themes:
- Maximising composting of organics
- Maximising recycling of recyclable materials
- Safe management of hazardous substances
- Leadership and innovation in the Christchurch waste and resource recovery sector
- Effective resource recovery education and communications
Within the themes are 28 actions that have been approved for the current financial year. A summary of each is provided below.
Full detailed action plan [PDF, 38 KB]
Working together
As well as maximising opportunities provided through the Government’s work programme for waste, we need to work with Papatipu Rūnanga, local organisations and other councils to reduce our dependence on international markets for recyclable materials and invest in infrastructure for local solutions. Regional and national collaboration will be essential to minimise waste and achieve our vision for a sustainable Ōtautahi Christchurch, working towards zero waste and a circular economy.
Developing innovative approaches to managing waste is critical to maximising the use of existing resources and developing viable alternatives to landfill. As a local Council, we‘re responsible for managing waste that our communities produce. In addition, we’re able to act as a facilitator, helping the community to:
- Create an environment to more effectively manage resources
- Reduce the waste produced by individual households and organisations
We work closely with other public sector partners and community organisations to develop and support initiatives that support our vision towards zero waste and a circular economy. Some of our partnerships include:
- Central Government
- Papatipu Rūnanga
- Other local authorities and the Canterbury Waste Joint Committee
- Canterbury District Health Board
- Industry representatives, including WasteMINZ, Local Government New Zealand, our contractors, other waste providers and new and emerging technologies
- Research organisations and consultants, including universities, research institutes and sector interest groups
- Community groups and Non-Governmental Organisations
By working together, we can better understand the challenges and opportunities to re-think our current approach to resource use and develop a collective foundation for change.
Further information