Litter by Little: Eugenie Sage says cleaning up trash is 'the way we do it around here'

Tuesday, 25 September 2018

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage is a big fan of everybody doing their bit to combat the country's litter problems.

A Stuff drive to reduce litter has been backed by New Zealand's associate minister for the environment, Eugenie Sage.

When people collected litter in their neighbourhood or beach, it showed that they cared about their environment, she said.

'We do have a strong culture of doing the right thing.'

Keep New Zealand Beautiful was first known as the Anti-Litter Council when it was established in 1967, more than 50 years ago.

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Sage said the mandatory phase out of plastic bags announced by the Government last month was a symbolic move, as so many people had asked for it.

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Whether or not someone stooped to pick up litter on their way to work may depend on if it was dirty and smelly, she said.

But it wasn't stopping most people from doing the right thing, especially on beaches.

'That's the way we do it around here.'

We'd love to see your photos of you, you school, or organisation picking up litter. Send pictures and video to wellington@stuff.co.nz

About 78 per cent of litter collected in urban areas was cigarette butts, she said.

Survey work by Sustainable Coastlines was important because it would show the Government what was ending up on the coast.

'If it was takeaway containers and the like, then it will help us target our further action.'

Over the last decade, there had been little waste data available.

The work Sustainable Coastlines were doing would provide them robust information, she said.

It was up to individuals to target rubbish, as well as the Government and cleanup groups.

'It is up to people to do the right thing.'

In Wellington, some eateries were already assuming that people wouldn't take a straw, and not offering them, she said.

Sage said the mandatory phase out of plastic bags announced last month was a symbolic move, as so many people had asked for it.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage is a supporter of Stuff's Litter by Little campaign. 'We have a strong culture of doing the right thing.'

Her next priority was to increase the Waste Disposal Levy.

'We need to be recovering more material before it goes to waste. Particularly in commercial and industrial waste.'

PICK, PIC AND BIN

Please join us in making our environment a cleaner, better place. Pick up some litter, email us a photo and caption, and join the Litterati Photo Gallery.

We'll update the gallery daily to recognise all the good sorts making a difference.

Captions should include your name, along with location and date of rubbish pick-up. And please add any other information you think relevant or interesting. Email us at wellington@stuff.co.nz