Waste minimisation
Tradie Breakfasts
If you’re in a trade or simply interested in how you can help reduce waste, then Taupō District Council’s Tradie Breakfasts are for you. The series being held in November and December 2023 brings together local experts to share advice on how to make positive changes in waste reduction.
Waste Management and Minimisation Plan
We have a plan for reducing waste to help make our district an even better place to live.
As required by the Waste Minimisation Act 2008, our Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) has been developed to protect our district from harm and to provide environmental, social, economic and cultural benefits.
Our WMMP goal is to:
"To protect public health and safeguard the Taupō district environment by ensuring waste and diverted material is managed in a safe and sustainable manner that maintains natural and aesthetic values and to have the cleanest district in New Zealand"
A key part to working towards this goal involves considering the role of waste in the wider economy, including issues of resource efficiency and viewing waste as a resource, rather than as an issue to be managed.
Taupo District Council proposes to continue to provide a range of waste management and minimisation services similar to those currently in place. In addition, Council support the community to achieve further waste diversion through education and supporting local waste minimisation initiatives.
Read the full plan:
Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (PDF, 1.3MB)
Information on waste minimisation initiatives that the community can benefit from is outlined below.
Waste Minimisation Fund
A grant is available through our Waste Minimisation Fund to help individuals and organisations reduce waste.
The fund of $10,000 has been made available from the national waste levy, which is paid by landfill operators and distributed by the Ministry for the Environment to local authorities.
Applicants can apply for any amount up to $2,000 for a project that contributes to waste minimisation, waste avoidance, reduction of waste to landfill, and/or the recovery of materials or energy.
Resource Wise Programme
Want to reduce your environmental footprint? Minimising your waste output is a great start.
Our Resource Wise programme is available to Taupō District schools, businesses, events, community groups, and more. We begin with a waste audit and then create a personalised plan to help reduce waste within your organisation.
Resource Wise Education Programmes (PDF, 1.6MB)
Resource Wise for Schools
The aim of the Resource Wise Schools Programme is to educate students and minimise waste to landfill.
To help schools minimise waste to landfill, we have developed a free programme in which schools work their way through five stages. Each stage contains practical activities that take participants on a journey of waste minimisation.
Resource Wise Schools Programme (PDF, 328KB)
Resource Wise for Businesses
Reduce the amount of waste your business sends to landfill with the Resource Wise Business Programme.
As part of the programme, businesses receive an annual waste audit, a summary report with a detailed action plan as well as resources and support to implement actions.
Learn about waste
Wasted New Zealand is a video series that takes you on a journey through our key waste streams here in New Zealand including recycling, waste water, food waste and landfill. Learn about where all of our waste goes and what we can all do to make a difference!
Waste minimisation workshops
Want to reduce your ecological footprint and find easy solutions to waste-free parenting? The nationally renowned Nappy Lady', Kate Meads, holds waste minimisation workshops in Taupo every year.
The workshops are for parents who want to make responsible choices to reduce their waste output, minimising families' ecological impact and introducing the community to exciting and modern waste-free alternatives to expensive disposable products. At the workshops, parents and parents-to-be receive tips and information on what they can do at home to reduce their waste output.
The workshops are held at the Great Lake Centre and all those who attend receive a waste-free parenting goodie bag.
Check waste-free workshop dates and costs and register online
Home composting
There are a lot of ways to do your bit for the environment and composting is an easy one. When we throw away green waste, such as food scraps or lawn clippings, it ends up in our landfill. Composting is an inexpensive, natural way to deal with this waste and decreases landfill deposits while saving you money and improving your garden.
To help educate interested residents on how to compost at home, we run regular workshops with Taupo Community Gardens in Taupo and Awhi Farm in Turangi that are free to attend!
Find out more about home composting and workshops
Recycling
For more information on what you can and can't recycle see our Recycling webpage.
Waste
Commercial quantities of waste
For more about the Waste Register phone 0800 668 4769.
For more about commercial quantities of waste oil phone 0800 725 8377 (charges apply).
Waste reduction
For more waste reduction information phone 0800 22 77 47
Agricultural or farm chemicals
For more about agricultural or farm chemical collection phone 0800 24 36 78 (charges may apply).
Problems with unaddressed advertising
Telephone the Marketing Association on 0800 111 081
