Community Recycling Network New Zealand

Community Enterprises working together towards Zero Waste in New Zealand

The Community Recycling Network is the representative organisation of existing and emerging community groups involved in recycling, reuse, composting, waste reduction and waste education. One path to sustainability lies in recovering the valuable resources currently flowing into our waste streams. Working together towards a Zero Waste future enables communities to protect and enhance their local environment and social economy.

Through the principles of seeking inspiration, fostering connection and community empowerment CRN aims to;

Provide an effective voice and focal point for our sector
Create a network able to provide support, advice, guidance and mentoring
Establish working relationships with key Government agencies and NGO's
Develop a strategic plan for co-ordinated community action
Foster partnerships with business and local authorities
Work towards our shared Zero Waste future

We all stand together and face what may come in this 'life with waste'.

The hui in Methven in May 2006 not only provided opportunities for attendees to network and share information amongst each other but also to strategise the future direction of CRN and to agree upon key policy decisions that will become part of the foundations of the organisation.

As it is written in the Business Plan, CRN has made a commitment to develop strong functional relationships with other key players in the waste industry to achieve project outcomes and overall waste minimisation and diversion. CRN recognises that developing Memorandums of Understanding with organisations such as ZWNZT, RONZ and WasteMINZ will assist to establish how the organisations will work more effectively together, as well as detail some of the potential benefits to the actual organisations, communities, local authorities and Central Government.

The intention of the MoU's is that they will lead to the development of partnership projects between the organisations as well as assist with TLA / community partnership building. Organisations will work together to identify projects which could be undertaken in partnership as well as individually, therefore not competing for limited resources. The hui in Methven provided the perfect forum for attendees to discuss factors to be included in the MoU's as it enabled participation from the wider membership as well as from the Executive Committee.

The 2002 gathering in Methven inspired Xtreme Waste Inc Soc and the community of Whaingaroa (Raglan) to host a follow up hui in 2003. The purpose of 'life with waste' was to further strengthen communities involved in waste minimisation by sharing experiences and ideas for successful community solutions through mentoring and problem solving, demonstrating and celebrating alternative work with 'waste', by establishing an ongoing network for community waste minimisation organisations and by identifying strategic issues faced by communities with waste.

One of the key outcomes of 'life with waste' was a unanimous commitment to formalise a structure to represent community waste enterprises throughout Aotearoa. Given the virtual exclusion of Community during talks between Government and Industry regarding the Packaging Accord (signed in August 2004), this group were mandated to exert pressure on Government to reduce waste packaging and create legislation, speak with a cohesive voice on behalf of community at local, regional and central government levels, grow robust relationships with RONZ, ZWNZ Trust, MfE, Work and Income New Zealand, and encourage and monitor action reporting transparently to all groups through a secretariat agency. The Community Recycling Network is the structured body that represents the voice of zero waste communities throughout Aotearoa.

The Hui at Methven was effectively the first meeting soley focusing on the Community Recycling sector. Around 100 representatives of community enterprises from throughout New Zealand attended.

The second Zero Waste conference was held in Kaitaia sponsored by the Zero Waste New Zealand Trust and hosted by the Community Business and Environment Centre. Over two hundred people attended including representatives from councils, community groups and enterprises and the recycling industry. Guest speakers included Tachi Kiuchi former general manager of Mitsubishi Electric and community recycling speakers from CRN (UK) and Grass Roots Recycling Network from the USA.

The first Zero Waste conference was held in Kaikoura sponsored by the Zero Waste New Zealand Trust and hosted by Innovative Waste Kaikoura and Kaikoura District Council. Effectively it was the first get together of community groups actively involved in Zero Waste implementation with respect to recovery of resources. Attendees included representatives from councils, community groups and enterprises and the recycling industry. Total attendees were around 100. Guest speakers included representatives from over seas community recycling networks and organisations.