Riane is hooked on recycling

MARNIE HALLAHAN

GREAT IDEAS: Riane Ross, 17, is trying to help Auckland to become a more sustainable city.

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All it took was one Jack Johnson concert and Riane Ross was hooked.

But not just to his catchy tunes.

The 17-year-old Takapuna Grammar student says that hearing Johnson talk about his ideas for a sustainable world got her inspired to see what she could do herself.

"It got me interested in it and I started doing some research," Riane says.

"A few of my friends were in the sustainability club at school but I thought all they did was plant trees."

But after the concert she joined the group and her involvement snowballed.

This has included taking part in beach cleanups at Narrow Neck Beach and on Rangitoto Island.

And last month Riane's entry into a competition called Help Stop Auckland From Being Rubbish, run by youth group Innercredits, was named the winner.

Innercredits asked young people to read the latest Auckland Council draft waste plan and come up with ideas for cutting down waste and increasing recycling around Auckland.

Riane suggested a simple plan based on ideas she's heard of overseas.

"Collection refunds could be really effective," she says."Teenagers buy a lot of bottles and cans and collection refunds would be a brilliant way to encourage recycling as it offers a reward and teaches them the importance of recycling at the same time."

As part of her prize Riane will attend the ReGeneration Changemakers conference being held at the Bruce Mason Centre in February.

When she returns to Takapuna Grammar this year in year 13 Riane says she will be back with the sustainability club.

So far the Auckland Council have received 622 submissions on the draft waste plan, including a collaborative submission by Innercredits featuring Riane's ideas.

All Aucklanders are invited to make a submission on the draft plan before January 31. Submissions can be made online at www.aucklandcouncil. govt.nz/wasteplan.

- © Fairfax NZ News