Local authorities are calling for better product stewardship, with $2.4 million spent among 30 councils on clearing illegally dumped rubbish last year. The total for New Zealand's 78 local councils would be much higher, with some not keeping track of the cost and others outsourcing rubbish collection to private companies. He said the main reason people dumped rubbish was because the cost to take it to the dump or recycling centre was too high. WasteMINZ chief executive Paul Evans said councils had a duty to clean up dumped rubbish and there was no quick-fix solution because the reasons people dumped were varied. Mr Evans agreed that better product stewardship schemes could make a difference, especially for items like televisions.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 31, 2017 00:56 UTC