WasteMINZ is calling for bipartisan support to prioritise waste, resource recovery and contaminated land management in New Zealand, following the Government’s decision to delay the introduction of new waste legislation.
The Government recently announced that drafting of the amended waste legislation is presently on hold, and waste legislation will not be introduced to the House this Parliamentary term. A proposal to phase out PVC and polystyrene from food and beverage packaging has also been delayed indefinitely due to “other Government priorities”.
WasteMINZ chief executive Nic Quilty said the sector had been waiting for regulatory certainty for years. Delaying reform risked further investment uncertainty, missed economic opportunities, and continued pressure on councils, businesses and communities.
“We are extremely disappointed that the waste legislation won’t be introduced to the House this parliamentary term.
“New Zealand cannot achieve its economic, environmental, housing and productivity goals without a modern, fit-for-purpose waste and resource recovery system. This starts with effective waste legislation.
“This sector has been resilient in the face of constant shifts of policy direction, such as a comprehensive waste strategy and measurable outcomes being scrapped in lieu of vague and unmeasurable goals. We can’t wait forever or we risk falling even further behind other, similar countries who know that waste systems are a priority and act on it.”
New Zealanders generate almost two kilos of rubbish per person, per day – more than twice the global average. At the same time, our material productivity (how much economic value a country creates from the materials it consumes) is just 59% of the average of OECD countries, despite the fact that we consume more materials per capita.
Nic said waste and resource recovery was too important and too long-term to be treated as a partisan issue.
The waste, resource recovery and contaminated land management sectors are essential economic infrastructure that contribute more than $3.3 billion to New Zealand's economy. Yet policy delays and underinvestment are preventing New Zealand from capturing significant economic, environmental and productivity gains.
A clear, enduring legislative framework supported across Parliament would provide the confidence needed to unlock investment, accelerate infrastructure delivery and create jobs.
“Every New Zealander generates waste. Every community depends on functioning waste and resource recovery services. Every government, regardless of political persuasion, requires the infrastructure that enables economic development while protecting public health and the environment.
“Durable and bipartisan support for waste legislation reform is essential.”