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Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced changes to the makeup of the Waste Advisory Board.

The eight-person board provides advice to the Minister for the Environment on issues relating to waste management and minimisation.

The Government is streamlining the resource consent processes for land remediation works to enable homes to be rebuilt more quickly for Christchurch families hit by the 4 September and 22 February earthquakes, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

Minister for the Environment, Nick Smith today announced the members of a four-strong Establishment Board tasked with ensuring the new Environmental Protection Authority is ready for business on 1 July.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the final six Auckland projects from 2010/11 to receive funding from the Waste Minimisation Fund.

“Supporting these projects is a practical way the Government can encourage New Zealanders to reuse, recycle, recover and decrease the amount of waste going to our landfills,” Dr Smith said.

Environment Minister Nick Smith is encouraging Aucklanders to support a new Auckland Council scheme partially funded by Government to recover waste motor oil.

“Aucklanders could be pouring more than 400,000 litres of dirty waste motor oil down the drain polluting Auckland’s streams, rivers and harbours. This scheme is about providing free, convenient and safe disposable facilities that will see the oil either recycled or properly disposed of,” Dr Smith said.

Minister for the Environment Nick Smith today announced that an application to extend Queenstown Airport is to be considered by the Environment Court.

“I have decided this application is nationally significant and the most appropriate authority to hear and consider it is the Environment Court,” Dr Smith said.

Road cones will soon be made in New Zealand using waste plastic, thanks to local innovation and support from the Government, Minister for the Environment, Nick Smith announced today.

“We need to back up the effort of so many New Zealanders that recycle at home by encouraging businesses to produce products that reuse the millions of milk bottles,” Dr Smith said.

A new report by the Environment Ministry on dioxin emissions shows New Zealand is making significant progress in reducing our exposure to these toxic chemicals, Environment Minister Nick Smith says.

“Dioxins are among the most toxic chemicals known and are associated with cancer, skin diseases, and immunity and reproductive disorders. This report shows the amount being emitted to atmosphere has halved in the last 10 years,” Dr Smith said.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today welcomed the announcement of $2.5 million under the Primary Growth Partnership for applied research into reducing the impact and eventual replacement of the fumigant methyl bromide.

“Methyl bromide is an ozone-depleting chemical, a powerful greenhouse gas and a toxic chemical that it is currently required at ports to meet phytosanitary requirements of importing countries for New Zealand timber exports worth $3 billion a year,” Dr Smith said.

Finance Minister Bill English, Economic Development Minister Gerry Brownlee and Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced the establishment of an Advisory Group on Green Growth in enabling New Zealand to grow the economy while enhancing our clean, green brand.

“This new initiative is another part of the Government's plan to build a faster growing economy," Mr English said, announcing the advisory group at the National Party’s Bluegreens forum in Akaroa. 

Environment Minister Dr Nick Smith and Conservation Minister Kate Wilkinson today called for public input into a proposed National Policy Statement on New Zealand’s indigenous biodiversity announced at the Bluegreens Forum in Akaroa.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced a new plan for clean air at the Bluegreens Forum in Akaroa that toughens measures to reduce pollution but gives councils more time to meet air quality standards.

Environment Minister Nick Smith today announced a new initiative to recycle mussel shells in the Nelson-Marlborough region thanks to a Government grant of $200,000 from the Waste Minimisation Fund.

“This initiative to convert 27,000 tonnes of mussel shells into organic feedstock and fertilisers will create jobs and wealth as well as reduce waste going to landfill,” Dr Smith said.