Zero waste an essential part of climate planning

Kaitaia – The two main sources of GHGs from the waste sector globally are methane from organics in landfill and CO2 from burning waste plastic, according to a new report, Zero Waste Aotearoa says.

The evidence in the report makes it very clear burning plastic waste for energy recovery is not an effective mitigation strategy, Zero Waste says.

Kiwis need to oppose plans for any waste-to-energy incinerator proposals. Plastics are made from fossil fuels, and every tonne that gets burnt creates 1.43 tonne of CO2.  Incineration is a false solution that creates more problems than it solves.

There are three waste-to-energy incinerators in consenting stages that would all burn plastic waste in Waimate, Te Awamutu and Feilding. There are no waste-to-energy incinerators in Aotearoa just now.

The Zero Waste Network is supporting the release of this important report produced by the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA). 

The new report says zero waste is an essential part of any climate plan. The waste sector accounts for about four percent of NZ's overall emissions. Using zero waste strategies means the country can tackle emissions up and down supply chains.

It says at least 70 percent of global emissions come from the manufacture, transport, use and disposal of goods and a focus on waste reduction could significantly reduce the emissions in these sectors too.

The real value of a zero waste approach is the focus on redesigning systems and products so we don’t make unnecessary stuff in the first place. Simple zero waste strategies like reduce, reuse and repair mean people can keep things in circulation for longer.

The research report says countries need to reduce methane emissions from landfill by diverting organic materials such as food and garden waste to composting systems.

Returning compost to soils is a win-win because it makes soil more resilient to drought and floods because the soil can absorb and hold more moisture.

New Zealand’s emissions reduction plan includes many examples of this critical climate work. It doesn’t make any sense to start burning plastic which would emit CO2 and damage climate change plans.

The introduction of zero waste systems across Aotearoa would be one of the quickest and most affordable ways to reduce global heating and stay below 1.5°C of warming. Auckland has already embraced a zero waste by 2040 goal.