Council opts for plastic recycling, rejects ban

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 7, Issue 364, 27 November 1990, Page 3

Council opts for plastic recycling, rejects ban

The problem of safe disposal of plastic milk containers may be alleviated by the Ruapehu District Council's stand to establish a recycling programme in the region. Councillor Weston Kirton described a letter from the Whakatane District Council asking Ruapehu to support a ban of plastic milk containers as "wet and unjustified", saying it is just a way of passing the buck. "We all have a responsibility to get rid of

these undesirable packages," he said. "Banning the product is not the way. That would increase the price and then the consumer would be worse off." Cr Kirton said after investigation he located a major recycling company willing to come to the Ruapehu region. The recycling programme would take place through schools that would serve as collection points for milk containers and other plastics. In retum, the schools would bene-

fit from funds raised by the project. He added that he hoped the idea would receive support from councillors so the matter could be raised at Junior Council level for their input. Cr Margie Snow said that the council should be expanding upon the issue by taking a firmer stand and promoting recycling in the Ruapehu region in general. Councillors voted to endorse Cr Kirton's proposal and go ahead with the programme.