Organic material, which includes primarily food waste and greenwaste, comprised the largest proportion of the overall waste stream to landfill.

 Kerbside waste composition

The above chart is from the Eastern Waikato Waste Management and Minimisation Plan, developed in 2012, and jointly used by Matamata-Piako, Hauraki and Thames Coromandel District Councils. Similar to earlier surveys, the highest proportion of waste that households put out for collection in the Matamata-Piako districts is organic, garden or food waste which, instead of being sent to landfill, could be composted or processed to generate energy. Paper and plastic are two other main sources of general waste which could be recycled, rather than sent to landfill.

What Council Is Doing

Council aims to lessen the negative impacts of landfills by spending money on preventing leachate entering receiving waters.

The Matamata landfill does not a have leachate collection system, however, Council treats any leachate produced from the now closed Morrinsville and Waihou landfills through the associated wastewater treatment plants. Leachate volumes and treatment cost is no longer recorded as it is not required under Council’s resource consents.

 * not recorded

Council also contributes to reducing waste by operating recycling centres at the transfer stations. The collection of recyclable material is also undertaken as part of its kerbside refuse collection.   

Participation rates for recycling ranged between 30% and 33% between 2000/01 and 2004/05. The 2006 Environmental Awareness, Attitudes and Actions Survey conducted in conjunction with the WRC showed that in 2006:

• 50% of Matamata-Piako residents recycle glass
• 49% of Matamata-Piako residents recycle plastic
• 49% of Matamata-Piako residents recycle tins/cans and
• 49% of Matamata-Piako residents recycle paper

Participation rates for municipal recycling have increased steadily to 64% in 2011/12, 83% in 2012/13 and 85% in 2013/14.

In 2017, 66% of properties within Matamata-Piako had access to Council kerbside recycling, according to the Eastern Waikato Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

What You Can Do To Help

• Compost green waste at home for use in the garden or establish a worm farm.
• Recycle glass, paper and card, plastic, metals.
• Reduce packaging. Buy products with less packaging.
• Instead of throwing out goods that may be used by someone else, list them on your community’s Neighbourly website. 
• Ensure you dispose of your waste in an appropriate manner. Don’t dump in an uncontrolled environment.

How are we Doing?

Anticipated Environmental Results Solid waste	Achieved? Achieving Progress towards achievement Not Achieving Not Monitored
A reduction in the number of contamination incidents caused by indiscriminate and poorly managed waste disposal	(no repeated cases)
Minimal adverse effects from hazardous substances
Progressive reduction in the generation of solid waste including hazardous waste	Solid waste (excluding timber and rubble) Hazardous waste
Safe and effective solid waste storage and disposal
Reduction in adverse effects on the environment

Click here to learn more about District Plan Effectiveness and read the full report on Solid Waste

Useful Links

Matamata-Piako State of the Environment Report 1999

The Waikato Regional Council's Waikato waste and resource efficiency strategy 2015-18

Zero Waste New Zealand Trust

Eastern Waikato Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 

Neighbourly

For More Information

Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or
Customer Services
Matamata-Piako District Council
PO Box 266, Te Aroha 3342
Phone: 07 884 0060
Fax: 07 884 8865