1419 days ago

We need to talk about burn-offs and the air quality in the Waikato/Waipa

Matt from Rukuhia

Hi Guys-
I'm concerned about interested in the air quality in Waikato at present. It's been getting worse over the past 10 years, to the extent that now you don't want to walk outside most nights due to the amount of burn-offs which're happening on farms - often containing non-wood items such as electronics, polystyrene and plastic.

This is ironic, as NZ has terribly low carbon in our soils, which is a problem for farmers. It would be made much better were the wood in question to be left to rot. And of course contaminating our soils and air with burning electronics is a bad thing.

Some suggestions:
* Woodchipping - woodchipping old trees/branches and either using the output elsewhere or spreading over a paddock so it can rot down quickly, is a good way to add carbon back into soils.
* Leaving to rot - spreading wood around the edges of a paddock and leaving it to rot is a slow option, but doesn't require a lot of effort.
* Firewood collectors - for larger logs, firewood sellers will happily tow them away. Of course, this still puts the wood in the air, rather than in the soil, but at least it keeps someone warm in winter.

For polystyrene/electronics/etc the obvious solution should be the dump or metal recyclers, where you'll get a couple of bucks for your effort at least. For batteries, Grimmer Motors in Hamilton take both household and car batteries and recycle them. Putting plastics and electronics etc in fires should be banned outright, if not prosecuted.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

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4 hours ago

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2 days ago

Poll: Could we live without public bins?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Many public rubbish bins are being removed by councils due to the large costs of regularly emptying them. Do you think we can adapt and live without them?

Type 'Not For Print' if you wish your comments to be excluded from the We Say You Say column of your local paper.

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Could we live without public bins?
  • 12% Yes
    12% Complete
  • 87.5% No
    87.5% Complete
  • 0.5% Other - I'll share below
    0.5% Complete
1737 votes
M
1 day ago

Golden Ages Dance - Wednesday 24th April 10am - 1pm

Melanie from Hamilton Lake

The Glenview Community Centre are hosting an Old-time Dance Event for all our senior citizens (see invite attached).
We are planning a touch of nostalgia and charm for all our grama's and grampa's with a YOUNG AT HEART dance at:

Glenview Community Centre
Wednesday 24th April from 10am - 1pm (day before ANZAC).

Our kaumatua/elderly often get overlooked so let's honour them by bringing back the Memories, the Fun and a Touch of Yester-year with dances like the Viennese swing, the Glengarry, the Platinum waltz and the Maxina! Put your dancing shoes on and come along and join us! For beginners to experienced and everyone in between.

A light lunch will be provided so come along, bring a friend and enjoy an entertaining trip down memory lane.

$5 entry
Ph Mel on 021 229 8097 for more details

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