The government has announced plans to invest $3 million in a new anti-litter campaign.
Environment Minister Nick Smith says the money will be spent on a behavioural change campaign, including the development of education materials and a national litter survey ‘to help ensure we keep New Zealand beautiful'.
'The environmental harm from litter is not just the aesthetics but the harm plastic, paper and cans can do our waterways, marine environment and to wildlife. There is also the risk to New Zealand's clean green brand,” says Nick.
The ‘Do the Right Thing' initiative will be funded through a grant to Keep New Zealand Beautiful from the Ministry for the Environment's Waste Minimisation Fund. This is the largest amount the government has ever given Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
The criteria for the fund was changed in 2016 by the government to included improved litter management. The education component will be run through the Enviroschools organisation and the information campaign aligned with the Packaging Forum.
'Keep New Zealand Beautiful is an iconic kiwi institution and it is fitting in its 50th year we back this trusted name and organisation with the job of getting Kiwis to ‘Do The Right Thing'.
'This funding includes support for national litter survey data. This will enable areas to celebrate being New Zealand's tidiest kiwis and for those being the worst to be shamed into lifting their game. This data will be used to recognise at the Green Ribbon Awards those groups and communities that best live up to the Keep New Zealand Beautiful ambition.”
For more information on the Waste Minimisation Fund visit www.mfe.govt.nz or for more information about Keep New Zealand Beautiful visit their website at: www.knzb.org.nz
6 comments
here we go again
Posted on 01-03-2017 11:10 | By old trucker
Here is Nick again WASTEING money on litter for goodness sake,$3 million how did they come up with this figure,by the looks of things,(NEED to put bigger RUBBISH bins out there,or empty them more often,of cause people put the rubbish in bins,at least they try, BUT if its over flowing its not their fault,$3 million would HELP put a BYPASS in Kati Kati, my shillings worth,No1 in the Bay for NEWS Thankyou 10-4 out.
Agree with Old Trucker
Posted on 01-03-2017 12:05 | By The Sage
I see people walk from their homes and put rubbish in public rubbish bins. Also people are abusing supermarket rubbish bins. Put the money into or By Pass for Katikati.
Common sense
Posted on 01-03-2017 12:28 | By rastus
The old Trucker is 100% correct with his/her comments - however for anyone who chucks rubbish/litter anywhere that is not provided with a rubbish can (full or empty) then a really good fine, minimum of $500-00 will provide the fastest and cheapest education available.
Yeah na
Posted on 01-03-2017 13:48 | By overit
Nick your campaign wont work. I used to work at a local college, kids used to drop their rubbish or stuff it in shrubs rather than BIN IT.
Rubbish in Photo.
Posted on 01-03-2017 14:45 | By Martin Buchanan
In my opinion, I find the photo ($3mill to be spent on Rubbish collection) as being a most successful result from previous Rubbish collection spending. Look at all the rubbish that has been put in the right place by the 'public'. Congratulations folk!!! You have done well. What needs to be looked at from the photo is how often the bins are emptied to avoid this occurrence. Thanks to Council for having the bin in the 'right' place. Cool to see.Martin Buchanan
try
Posted on 01-03-2017 17:14 | By Capt_Kaveman
fines for people who throw stuff out the window of their car of while walking down the road, eg drinkers at night smashing bottles on the footpath
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