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Green Plans in Action: New Zealand: Milestones: Background
100% Pure - Clean and Green
For more on NZ tourism
Zero Waste:
- maximises recycling
- minimises residual waste
- reduces consumption
- ensures that products are made to be reused, repaired, recycled or composted.
The ultimate goal of Zero Waste is to minimize and eventually eliminate waste.
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Landfill use has dropped from 327 in 1995, to 155 in 2000 and in 2006 there are 90 effectively managed landfills meeting strict environmental criteria of clay caps, waterproof linings, drainage, and landfill gas systems. Numbers are expected to decrease further through the recent introduction of National Environment Standards. There is only one steam sterilization plant - at the Auckland Airport, and incineration is no longer used. The RMA plays a key role in waste management through the administration of the resource consent process. Local authorities produce the waste management plans, and regional councils manage the effects of discharges of waste disposal. The Ministry for the Environment has replaced nearly all small unlined landfills with larger lined landfills more widely spaced making recycling a more attractive option. Successful educational campaigns about the growing waste volume issue have supported the public's compliant use of simple alternatives such as recycling and composting. The separation of household garbage/refuse from green waste (e.g. from gardens) is encouraged. For example, Auckland City discourages green waste in its waste system. It has helped set up a privately run green waste collection system feeding a central, privately run, composting facility which sells its compost.
In addition, the Organic Waste Programme aims to reduce the amount of organic waste deposited into NZ landfills, reducing methane emissions. The goal of the Programme is to reduce the amount of commercial organic waste to landfills by 95% by 2010, bringing down the total landfill volumes by 800,000 tonnes and saving about $40 million in disposal costs each year.
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Examples of ZeroWaste contracts are:
- Waste audits for businesses
- Project management of sustainable infrastructure to prevent waste
- Scoping study and evaluation of new technology in waste minimization
- PR and marketing advice related to sustainable business practices
- Biogas installation planning
- Planning and developing sustainable housing.
In addition, the ZeroWaste NZ Trust is aiming for zero waste in 51 out of 71 authorities by 2015. In 2007, a core set of environmental indicators, including waste, were confirmed and formed the basis of a report called Environment New Zealand 2007.
For more information on ZeroWaste
Protection of Old Growth Forests
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Kauri Trees
The largest kauri on record had a measured height of 21.8 meters to the first branch and 23.43 meters in girth. The kauri dams of the Coromandel are a lasting reminder of their use. The New Kauri Policy of 1973 saw felling finally cease. A major portion of kauri trees are protected by legislation occurring in the 1950-70's and included in sanctuaries such as the Wapoua Forest Sanctuary in North Auckland. This sanctuary contains most major trees and is home to Tane Mahuta, king of the forest and the largest remaining kauri tree in the country, the 1,500 year old Tane Mahuta is 51.5 meters tall, with a girth of 13.77 meters. The best remnant stands of old growth trees large surviving are at the Manaia Sanctuary on the Coromandel Range including the bulk of the large trees in this Region, and Tane Nui.
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For more information on indigenous forests:
http://www.doc.govt.nz/explore/001%7enational-parks/index.asp
http://www.maf.govt.nz/forestry/indigenous-forestry/index.htm
Marine Protection
For more information on Marine Protection:
The West Coast Marine Protection Forum - Protecting Our Seas
Quota Management System
World's largest EEZ marine conservation measure
Massive Closures to Protect Bio-diversity
Proposed Benthic Protection Area Boundaries within NZ EEZ
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