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th July - 3 9rd July 273thrdJan Feb2018 2014
FIRST ON THE STREET
No No 434 657
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
13 J IN O 4 SI BS D E
enquiries@lwb.co.nz
Growing up in Gibbston taught me one thing, Central Otago is by far the most beautiful place in the world. I’m bias I know. But I’m sure you will be too. Our home is pretty spectacular. We need to make a real effort to protect her. Looking after our community, our wildlife, and our environment is a priority, especially now that we are in the throes of a smelly nationwide waste crisis. In the 2018 Colmar Brunton ‘Better Futures’ report, ‘a build-up of plastic in the environment’ came in at number five of New Zealanders’ top ten concerns. Yes, we care. So, now we need to act. Consider this, the largest plastic bottle producer creates 168 billion bottles per year, using less than 7% recycled material. We’re creating and living in a world of diabolical excess when instead we should be looking to reuse, recycle, and reduce the amount of waste. Here in our small island country we can see the evidence of such plastic pollution. Tonnes and tonnes of waste accumulates daily with nowhere to go. We need to make a collective difference. How on earth do we do that then when the Resin Identification Code on plastics is only voluntary, when the ‘recycling triangle’ only reflects that somewhere in the world there are facilities to recycle that material - not necessarily here in New Zealand, and when some councils recycle materials that others can’t? It’s confusing and overly difficult to do the right thing. As we can no longer send our waste overseas, this year became an opportunity for New Zealand to do better. The pledge to use more sustainable plastics by 2025 is fantastic, however, that’s still seven years away! I think we all ought to be able to make a difference tomorrow. Reducing waste is key. We all agree that we want that. So, let’s improve the system.
Arrowtown was looking pecarious in the first half but a runaway second half left them retaining the White Horse Cup before their clash of the basin game with Wakatipu last Saturday. Pictured Izzy Nayaloga, Reece Barbely and Brice Imlach.
(Photo: Jodi Walters)
I’ve recently petitioned Government asking that they introduce a new, simple, and compulsory labelling system on all our food and drink products in New Zealand indicating the recyclability of packaging. My idea is pretty simple. I propose all food and drink packaging be labelled: Two Green Thumbs Up (packaging 100% recyclable in NZ and made from 100% recycled material), One Horizontal Yellow Thumb (100% recyclable in NZ, but not made from recycled material), Two Red Thumbs Down (not recyclable in NZ.) It seems many feel a bit helpless about the current waste crisis and wish they could do more to positively contribute. I hope to empower the consumer by allowing them to quickly make better choices for our beautiful country. For my idea to come into place, we will need our councils nationwide to agree on national waste standard. Crazily, we don’t already have one. Thousands have already signed the petition. I am urging other locals to sign and share the petition if they think it’s a good idea. The more signatures, the more seriously the concept will be considered. The closing date for the petition is Sunday, July 8. To sign or find out more, https://www.parliament.nz/en/pb/petitions/ document/PET_78446/petition-of-niamh-peren-introduce-new-simple-labels Niamh Peren
MISS LATIN AMERICA LATINO PARTY WEDNESDAY JULY 4
www.qac.co.nz
WITH DJ MILANDRES FROM 9PM
JOHN RAVENS WEATHER Last week John was 100% correct
RENTAL PROPERTIES
See inside back cover for our full list
TUES
WED
Fine with morning low cloud or frosts
Mainly fine, morning frosts,
THUR
FRI
Mainly fine, some Cloud thickening, high cloud. few spots of rain
SAT
SUN
MON
Rain. Little wind.
Rain. Not much wind.
Rain. Not much wind.