Marlborough Sounds Resource Management Plan 14.2.1 Objectives and Policies Objective 1 The disposal or burial of solid waste in such a way that water and soil quality, land and water ecosystems, and amenity values are not adversely affected. Policy 1.1 Encourage reduction in the amount of waste produced and disposed of in order to reduce the adverse effects of disposal or burying of waste. Policy 1.2 Mitigate the adverse effects of burying solid waste by rationalising the District’s landfills to a single site capable of avoiding the contamination of surface and groundwater. Policy 1.3 Avoid adverse effects on the amenity of the Sounds area caused by the disposal of solid waste onto private and public land. The first priority for waste management is to reduce the amount of waste created in order to reduce the adverse effects of waste disposal. In the Picton and Whatamango areas the Council currently provides a weekly kerbside refuse collection from all residential households. The Port Company provides and services bins in the port and marina facilities at Picton, Waikawa and Havelock for visitor use. Over the summer the Council expands the network of skips located throughout the Sounds to cater for increased numbers of people visiting the area. Rubbish is collected at refuse transfer stations located at Picton, Rai Valley and Havelock and transported to Marlborough’s Regional Landfill. The dumping of solid waste in areas not specifically managed for waste disposal can contaminate water, create dust and odour, and damage landscape and amenity values. The illegal dumping of household waste is an issue in the Marlborough Sounds, particularly over summer when resident and visitor numbers increase. 14.2.2 Methods of Implementation Rules Rules make provision for the burial and disposal of solid waste to land subject to performance standards. Education Promote waste reduction techniques, including reuse and recycling of materials; and benefits of waste reduction to the receiving environment and waste producers. Promote appropriate siting, size and management of offal pits for farm organic waste disposal. Education will encourage residents and businesses not to choose inappropriate methods of waste disposal. Incentives The Council will develop an ‘Environmental Management Challen ge’ Programme to encourage industry to adopt waste minimisation techniques. The Council will continue to charge waste disposers for the collection of waste and recyclable materials, to encourage waste minimisation. 14 - 2