On Wednesday 22 April at 3.31pm, I witnessed a Venetia contractor emptying the public bins, both the recycle and the standard bin contents went into the same bag before going into their truck.
This is the second time I have witnessed this happening.
Then, later that evening, while at a gallery opening in the Grey Lynn Village, I spoke with another Venetia contractor emptying a public bin outside the takeaway. I asked if recycle was separated. He said, “it all goes to the same place.”
Venetia’s contract includes looking after our parks.
A local group of volunteers look after the Japanese Garden at Western Springs Lakeside Park because Venetia can’t keep the water clean, even though they have about a dozen subcontractors supposedly maintaining it. Surely a local park ranger would be a cheaper and better solution? They could also educate visitor against feeding bread to the birds.
Venetia’s contract is up for renewal in October. Should Auckland Council continue using this Australian contractor, or should they support a local having this work?
Gael Baldock, community advocate
Letter to the Editor - WHY BOTHER RECYCLING?
