Summarised by Centrist
The government has scrapped plans for a national rollout of recycling measures and mandatory kerbside food scraps composting, quietly announcing the decision through a Ministry for the Environment website update rather than a public statement.
Four of five proposed waste minimisation policies have been shelved, including mandatory recycling standards and performance reporting.
Environment Minister Penny Simmonds stated the decision aims to reduce costs for councils and allow flexibility in introducing waste services.
She encouraged councils to apply for Waste Minimisation Fund grants to establish new collection systems. However, critics, including Labour’s Rachel Brooking, described the move as a “backwards step,” accusing the government of lacking environmental ambition.
Wellington City Councillor Iona Pannett called the cuts “deeply disappointing,” arguing that food scraps form a significant portion of landfill waste, contributing to methane emissions.
The Waste Minimisation Fund itself faces reduced government contributions, with $177.7m slashed over four years and criteria broadened to include unrelated freshwater restoration projects.
