Although Waikato District Council says that the Raglan food waste collection service will end on the 30th June, Xtreme Zero Waste has announced that it will be continuing with the service after that date.
Rick Thorpe, Xtreme Zero Waste Relationship Manager told Raglan 23 that, Xtreme Zero Waste has decided to continue with the collection after the 1st July 2019 and is prepared to seek funding to ensure we always have the service. So Raglanites keep your foodwaste coming.
Rick said, “Raglan, thank you for your contribution over the last month with your submissions, ideas and support to have a food waste service in Raglan. We hear your concerns about the increase in rates and user pays.
Xtreme Zero Waste has decided to continue with the collection after the 1st July 2019 and is prepared to seek funding to ensure we always have the service.Xtreme is keen to use crowdfunding, and if necessary, donations from other organisations to ensure the collection is continued. We are excited about this possibility to provide the people who support the service a chance to donate through our crowdfunding. We will post details shortly. Please keep your food waste coming as the service will continue as per normal.”
When asked about this announcement by Xtreme Zero Waste, a Waikato District Council spokesperson said, “As the media release states, the Strategy and Finance Committee is recommending to Council that a targeted rate not be struck for the Raglan kerbside food waste collection service. Council will not otherwise be funding the food waste service at this time.”
Investigations of the way WDC calculated the cost for the rate indicate that the method used by the Council for the calculations is suspect. The collection cost seems to have been based on the costs during the initial trial period when XZW collected the food waste separately, while the actual cost is now lower as it is done as part of the general collection. Also the income from the sale of compost made from the food waste was not credited as income. A WDC spokesperson said, “Any proceeds of compost is going into running the broader delivery of waste services in Raglan.” It is estimated that this income would be about $5,000 a year. Income from carbon credits may also be possible.
So it does seem that XZW has funding options to continue the food waste collection service. It is disappointing that WDC isn’t helping it pursue these other options. WDC hasn’t helped with dodgy calculations and money wasted on ‘consultation’ for a rating proposal that was never going to be approved by ratepayers.
Well done Xtreme Zero waste on this decision to continue the service.