New waste scheme hampers recycling firms

Christchurch businesses fear the new waste collection system in the city centre will discourage recycling.

Businesses and residents in a cluster of streets around Cathedral Square will not use the new wheelie bins, but will instead use plastic bags costing 80 cents each for the weekly collection of domestic recycling.

Central City Business Association chairman Anthony Gough said he feared the new system would result in business owners sending recyclable material to landfill.

He said the 80c charge for each bag, rather than an upfront charge out of rates for the former system, would discourage people from recycling.

"I think it is ridiculous ... I think you should have a choice as to whether you have a wheelie bin, rather than being forced one way or the other. A lot of our businesses will just put it in the skip and send it to landfill," he said.

Another central city business manager, who wished to remain anonymous, said the system would result in more waste sent to the landfill.

"I can sort of see why they are doing it, but it does not do any good for people wanting to recycle.

"It certainly does not encourage it," he said.

Central city businesses formerly used the same green crates used by Christchurch residents for recycling.

The green crate system was paid for in the central city rates. However, the new system is not covered by rates so the bags are sold for 80c each to cover the cost of the system.

Christchurch City councillors yesterday voted for the 80c charge for each bag.

The central city streets to get the bag service fan out from Cathedral Square, stretching south down Colombo and Manchester streets to Moorhouse Ave and up Victoria St to Bealey Ave in the north. (See graphic).

Christchurch City Council's project manager for the new bin system, Tim Scott, said wheelie bins were problematic in high-density urban areas.

"We had ongoing problems for years with the recycling crates in that area because they get kicked around by people. Wheelie bins would be worse because of the mix of residential and business in the area. There is not a suitable time when the bin can be put out and taken back in," he said.

Businesses could choose to employ a private wheelie bin operator for recycling collection, Scott said.

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