12/07/2006
- Government continues to focus on effective and
pragmatic approaches to managing waste in New
Zealand, Environment Minister David Benson-Pope
said today.
The Minister was responding
to a new report Changing Behaviour: Economic instruments
in the management of waste by the Parliamentary
Commissioner for the Environment.
“There are mixed opinions about
the effectiveness or appropriateness of economic
instruments. Where they can be shown to be effective
when dealing with environmental issues the Government
considers them,” said Mr Benson-Pope.
“Examples of the successful
use of economic instruments for waste management
include subsidies for the clean-up of contaminated
sites and the introduction of user charging at
landfills.
“As far as waste levies are
concerned, Ministry officials are working with
industry and local government on recommendations
for Government as we speak.
“Economic instruments are just
part of a range of tools available. Others include
regulatory measures as well as voluntary approaches.
Waste issues demand a broad outlook and we will
look to maintain an appropriate mix of policy
tools in the future,” said Mr Benson-Pope.
“For some waste issues, we have
chosen to work with industry on a voluntary basis.
Building on the expertise and ingenuity from New
Zealand businesses can work well, as we see in
the voluntary Packaging Accord which is still
on track to reach its targets.
“I am always open to dialogue
with the community about the effective and appropriate
use of economic instruments and how they might
contribute to the New Zealand Waste Strategy,”
said Mr Benson-Pope.
