Paula Thompson BOP Regional Councillor www.envbop.govt.nz

The Regional Council is coordinating the development of a regional waste strategy.

The intention is to build on the existing district-wide Waste Management Plans which are about waste minimisation and efficient waste disposal together with a range of other initiatives.

We have an opportunity to work across the Bay to find ways to minimise waste, make sure the disposal is environmentally sound and cost efficient and to seriously look at ways to transform waste into value add product – like bio fuels. Already there are initiatives being pursued that may deliver multi-faceted benefits from high-tech waste conversion .These are over and above the already existing diverted waste streams which happen through recycling or commercial operations like scrap metal ,food processing ,wood waste etc.

One of the biggest problems is the lack of robust regional wide data on waste. As the saying go's - you can't manage something you can't measure. Hence the need to build good solid facts and figures on the waste picture. This all needs to be done having regard to the commercial realities and sensitivities.

This strategy work is important and exciting. It will require cooperation and the ability to encourage and support research and innovation. This is exactly what the Bay can excel at.