Whilst completely agreeing with Norm Mayo's concerns about rates affordability, I would argue that penny-pinching on waste management is the worst way for councils to 1) save money and 2) future proof waste systems. Under sink waste disposal is the worst way to manage food scraps.

‘Out of sight, out of mind' in the sewerage system, food waste must be filtered out and trucked to landfill where it doesn't decompose and creates methane gas. Pushing the cost burden to the next generation is short-term thinking.

We need a tremendous reduction in our waste, particularly with population growth. Councils cannot afford to lag behind just because some people hold outdated views. Why should council have to deal with our food scraps, when home composting naturally breaks down food to give back to Mother Earth.

Norm should attend the wonderfully informative and engaging Waste Free Living workshops subsidized by councils to encourage waste reduction. Kate makes it fun and ‘doable'.

Come to her workshop in Omokoroa tonight, Norm, and learn something new. (Omokoroa Community Church, 139 Hamurana Road, Omokoroa, Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, Friday May 24 6–8:30pm.)

Reducing our waste now will have massive benefits for hundreds of years. Let's help instead of resisting.

Tracy Livingston, Whakamarama