Volume One 16. Waste [R] Policy 16.2.6 – In deciding whether to grant resource consent for any discharge of solid waste to land and the need to impose conditions to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects, decision makers need to determine whether there will be: (a) soil contamination from the accumulation of heavy metals and other hazardous substances; (b) contamination of waterbodies through runoff of sediment or leachate; (c) erosion, land instability and/or run-off of sediment into waterbodies due to land disturbance activities associated with the activity; (d) reduced amenity values due to disposal of unauthorised material resulting in odours, rubbish accumulation and vermin; or (e) adverse effects to the mauri of ecosystems, waahi tapu sites and other sites of cultural significance by discharges of sediment or leachate onto or into land. Policy 16.2.6 includes the criteria by which a decision can be made about whether to grant consent in respect of the discharge of solid waste to land, including for cleanfills and other activities where permitted activity standards are not met. Discharges of solid waste to land can provide a useful means to dispose of uncontaminated waste material and reduce the amount of material potentially disposed of in the regional landfill. However, if not appropriately managed significant adverse environmental effects can arise, including soil contamination, contamination of waterbodies, erosion or land instability, reduced amenity values or effects on the values of Marlborough’s tangata whenua iwi. The policy therefore provides guidance about the matters to be considered in any resource consent application, as well as whether there is a need to impose conditions to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects if consent is to be granted. [RPS] Policy 16.2.7 – Avoid the disposal of hazardous waste in Marlborough, except where the hazardous waste can be safely accepted at the regional landfill. Hazardous substances are used every day in manufacturing, industrial, agricultural, horticultural and viticultural activities. Hazardous substances are those that readily explode, burn, oxidise (accelerate the combustion of other material), corrode (metals or biological tissue) and/or are toxic to people and ecosystems. When these substances are no longer wanted or are no longer economically usable, they become hazardous waste. Hazardous wastes may form only a small part of the general waste stream in Marlborough, but by their very nature they have the potential to do the most damage to people and the environment. Given this significant risk, any disposal of hazardous waste in the Marlborough environment should be avoided. This will make it necessary to have alternative arrangements for the management of hazardous waste. The only exception to the policy is when hazardous waste can be accepted for disposal within Marlborough at the regional landfill, providing the integrity of the landfill liner is protected. [RPS, R] Policy 16.2.8 – Encourage the responsible disposal of solid waste from remote locations. It is difficult to apply the waste minimisation hierarchy set out in Policy 16.1.1 to those parts of Marlborough that are a great distance from transfer stations and/or do not have road access. This is particularly the case for large parts of the Marlborough Sounds and remote rural locations in South Marlborough. These factors make it difficult to take advantage of reuse, recycling and recovery opportunities already provided to the remainder of the community through transfer stations or kerbside collection. Disposal is often the only management option available to isolated communities or those visiting remote areas. However, isolation creates economic and logistical barriers to the provision of facilities for the collection or disposal of solid waste. This situation could potentially worsen if visitor numbers to the Marlborough Sounds continue to increase. The policy therefore seeks to ensure that disposal is undertaken in a manner that avoids adverse environmental effects. It will 16 – 7