Living well, wasting less
The vision
The western Bay of Plenty sub-region is an eco-friendly paradise. A place we live, work, learn and play in a way that protects our environment. We are viewed as a national leader in clever and efficient resource and energy use, always exploring ways to reduce the impact we have on our environment. It’s a great place to live.
We live, work and play in an energy efficient and resource efficient environment
Go Green Go!: We are carrying out an energy efficiency study of our city’s council buildings to be completed by July 2008 based on a 10% energy -use improvement and eco-funding is now available to large sized businesses to audit their own energy efficiency usage. In addition a fulltime residential Eco-design advisor Carsten Beetz began work in November 2007 liaising with Tauranga and Western Bay builders and building companies to inform and assist them in the uptake of sustainable/green building principles.
Funky junk depot!: The Funky Junk Depot opened in July 2007 and accepts donations of recycled and natural materials from industry and the community for use in creative projects. Access to the ‘treasure’ is by annual membership. The Depot is at the Historic Village on 17th Ave, and is run by the Tauranga Environment Centre in
partnership with Turning Point Trust. Members can take away as much junk/treasure as they want to use in creative projects. To become a member, or to donate junk, contact the Tauranga Environment Centre ph 07 578 6664.
No More Litter Bins: As a community we encourage people to take litter home to keep Tauranga green. In July 2007, litter bins were removed from Mauao (Mount Maunganui) in keeping with the trial of bin removal from reserves. Save Water: Total water use has decreased since water meters were introduced - despite an increasing population!
Teach the Young Ones: We are investing in long-term education programmes to pro-actively heighten awareness of the value of water among the younger residents in our community. To date approx 32,500 school children have been involved in the educational programme.
Water is Gold: We have formed partnerships with plumbers, garden centres and merchants to promote water efficiency.
Case Studies:
The Sustainable Business Network (SBN) runs the Get Sustainable Challenge - an online sustainability assessment designed to help businesses identify key areas of opportunity for sustainable development. Businesses are then supported through workshops which help them implement change. Workshops held in 07/08: Waste and Energy Management, Sustainable Purchasing, Transport and Values. Workshops Held 2007. Waste Management, Health & Safety, Paper & Office Supplies, Values & Transport.
Sustainable Facility Design: The citizens of Tauranga are enjoying the ongoing benefits of the environmentally designed facility Papamoa Library & Community Centre. The design maximizes natural light and ventilation and uses insulat
ed precast concrete panels, automated windows that respond to climatic conditions, sunshine level adjustable lighting and rain recycling for use within the building to name just a few of the buildings eco friendly benefits.
The Bake Shack Wins: This enviro-friendly Mt Maunganui Bakery has reduced its landfill waste by approx 90% since 2004. Bake Shack now operates a medium scale worm farm to divert organic waste from landfill. Organic waste causes high environmental harm if it degrades in a landfill situation, as it creates toxic leachates.
Good News Flash: Tauranga’s ecoaware Devan Plastics no longer dumps plastic bags left over after the manufacture of their polythene water tanks. They recycle the equivalent of 117 skips of plastic bags per year which now no longer go into landfill.
Indicators - how we measure - Living well, wasting less