From the Chairperson 

Resources, energy, pollution, zero waste, jobs, economics, innovation - these are the words we are now hearing instead of "rubbish". Residents passionately push for more kerbside recycling, climate change ensures we count and capture methane emissions and the changing oil prices force continuous reappraisal of collection options.

Business interests range from large multi-nationals, local manufacturers, social enterprises and one-person ideas.

Our forum aims to share information and catalyse connections. My vision is a region where most products "close the loop" and far less goes to landfill, where innovative design, manufacturing and refurbishing produce local jobs and we don't ship our pollution to places that deal with it less environmentally well. In a country of four million we will always have some trade flows and as a sparsely populated country we will also have some issues of the hurdles to national collection. However the Wellington Region is well poised to take a lead with economic development, environmental protection and creativity working together. Co-operation between local authorities is vital and this forum plays an important part in keeping channels of communication open between local authorities, businesses, communities and central government agencies. We welcome the new territory that the Waste Management Act and associated levies and mechanisms open up.

Celia Wade-Brown