Sustainability
Living sustainably means living smarter. Sustainability is a critical issue for New Zealand – environmentally, economically, culturally, politically, and socially. We need to learn how to live smarter to reduce our impact on the environment so that our natural resources will be around for future generations.
Taking more care about rubbish disposal is good for you and the environment. Up to two-thirds of household rubbish can be reduced, reused or recycled. Reducing, reusing and recycling lowers carbon emissions, saves energy and resources and cuts your rubbish disposal costs.
Find out more about two programmes in Southland that your business could be a part of. Small changes in your workplace can make a big difference.
There are some very active groups and organisations in Southland doing great things for the environment. Find out more about them here.
Get some ideas and resources to assist you with taking action for sustainability within the urban environment. Topics include weeds and alternatives to plant, stormwater and urban biodiversity, as well as ideas for you to get involved.
Useful Links
- EECA
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA) works with businesses, government, local government, communities and individuals to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy into their everyday activities.
- Greenlist
Greenlist has been designed to help you make good choices about the products and services you buy. The directory highlights the positive attributes of products and services by allowing you to compare products against a set of six sustainability principles. It does not attempt to list the negative attributes of products. Suppliers grade their own listings on each of these qualities through a series of questions. If you are uncomfortable with self assessment icons please look for those products or services with third party certifications. The directory is designed as a starting place for your decision making and as a tool for suppliers to showcase their product or services' sustainable qualities.
- Sustainability.govt.nz
Learn how to live smarter; reduce your impact on the environment and save money.
- The Ministry for the Environment – Waste
Find out about the legislative basis for the waste work the Ministry undertakes and what those programmes entail
- The Southland Waste Guide
The Southland Waste Guide is a guide to reusing, recycling or safely disposing of your unwanted items. Check out WasteNet to view the Directory online or ask your local council for a copy.
- WasteNet Southland
The one-stop-shop for people in Southland who want to know more about waste, minimising rubbish, recycling, composting, reusing, renewing, worm farming and much, much more.
Recycling
Learn more about the council’s recycling and rubbish programmes:
Southland Environmental Enhancement Fund
Have you thought about applying to the Southland Environmental Enhancement Fund which is used to assist individual landowners and community groups to protect and enhance indigenous biodiversity on private and community-owned land in Southland.
For more information and application forms click here.
High Value Areas programme
The High Value Areas programme set up by Environment Southland in conjunction with New Zealand Landcare Trust and the Southland District Council to survey remnants of native biodiversity in the region. The aim of the programme is to measure and communicate the state of native habitats in Southland.
You can learn more about the programme here.
Environment Southland is the brand name of Southland Regional Council.