CouncilsTasman & Nelson

Tasman & Nelson Sustainable Living Info

Tasman District joined Sustainable Living Education Trust in July 2016 and were joined by Nelson in January 2018. Your two local contacts are Nichola Brydon at Tasman Council email: nichola.brydon@tasman.govt.nz and Karen Lee, Nelson City's Education and Partnerships Officer (03 546 0200)

Welcome residents in Tasman District and in Nelson City!
You have arrived! Register your email & home address using the form linked from top of this page, just once, to enable free downloads of the learning guides on up to eight topics. We'll send you a password.

Community Gardens

Join with others to develop your skills to grow the best vegetables, fruit and herbs for yourself and others. Please make contact using the links below:

Motueka Community Garden
Richmond Community Garden
Brightwater Community Garden
Takaka Community Garden
Golden Bay Community Organic Gardens – & Seed Exchange
Victory Community Garden, rear of Victory Primary School, Nelson. Contact: Ariana Ngarhue vccactivities@victory.school.nz 03 546 8389
Waimarama Community Garden (website) Contact: Sally Rees 021 1709 443
Nelson Environment Centre Garden.
Apple Lane Community Garden, Nelson. Jane – House 44. 03 547 6055 email: house44@xtra.co.nz
Permaculture in Nelson Group, meet at Free House fortnightly, Tuesdays 7pm Ted Howard 021 2386450 kitesfun@gmail.com

Gardening more sustainably – Tasman Council website, Nelson urban food growing guide (download PDF)

Growing fuit and nuts at home - Nelson Environment Centre webpage. (with downloads)

Best Use of Resources

To make the best use of resources we value the resources that we already have and think about the consumer choices we make, whether these are our purchases or being given. If more of the resources we purchase and use are reusable, recyclable and support healthy social structures, we can reduce the need for unnecessary waste.

Rethink shopping: http://www.tasman.govt.nz/environment/environmental-education/sustainable-living/purchase-locally/

Great ideas and information can be found around reducing, reusing and recycling on the Nelson Environment Centre’s Waste Education Services’ website http://www.nec.org.nz/wes-services/

Find out about modern cloth nappies: The Nappy Lady http://www.thenappylady.co.nz/

Recycling collections

In Nelson City for 'glass blue crate' and wheelie bin kerbside fortnightly collections see Council recycling info Remember to exclude soft plastic packaging and bags, as they can't be recycled at present.

Within Tasman, a yellow-lidded mixed recycling bin is provided to each rated residence for recycling card, paper, hard plastics and metal cans; a blue bin is provided for glass collection. These are collected every two weeks. Link to download a Kerbside Recycling Guide pdf and the timetable.

There are public drop off recycling facilities and waste transfer stations at Richmond, Motueka -Mariri, Takaka, Collingwood and Murchison:

Richmond Resource Recovery Centre

By going through the kiosk, the Richmond Resource Recovery Centre will also take compact fluorescent and energy light bulbs, car batteries, small batteries, left over paint, clean fill or rubble to be recycled. Also whiteware and car bodies can be dropped off for free if follow requirements. A charge will incur if extra removal of items is required. Tyres can be dropped off for a small charge. The metal and sidewalls are removed so these can be then disposed of to landfill. The public drop off area will take old oil in sealed containers, empty gas bottles, oil-filled heaters and light and heavy gauge metal - to be recycled.

Electronic Waste is the fastest growing type of waste. They contain dangerous substances that can toxic if not handled correctly. PCs, printers, keyboards, TVs, monitors, cellphones and cameras can be dropped off to the Nelson Environment Centre for a fee. Link http://www.tasman.govt.nz/services/rubbish-recycling/electronic-waste-recycling/

Re-use shop in Richmond is closed, but items can be dropped off or bought from Cee Gees Recycling Centre on Robinson Road, Mariri, Motueka
or the Nelson Re-use and Recycling Centre 6 Vivian Street, Tahunanui.

Waste Free events:

Useful info for event organisers at Nelson City website and for enquiries email lesswaste@ncc.govt.nz

Check out other reuse options:

Murchison NZ Buy Sell Exchange: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1466276640354675/

Online Garage Sale Nelson/Motueka: https://www.facebook.com/groups/327761573967143/

Takaka noticeboard: https://www.facebook.com/groups/588867111181015/

Trade Me - http://www.trademe.co.nz/

Greenwaste to Zero

Green garden waste can be taken to Cargill Place, off Beach Road in Richmond for a charge. Greenwaste to Zero sells this resource as fabulous compost on a 2-3 year composting cycle.

If you can not recycle or re-use it – use the transfer stations as above in Murchison, Collingwood, Takaka, Motueka (Mariri) and Richmond. All of these wasted resources go to the landfill in Eves Valley – sadly up to 100 tonnes a day!

Rubbish to landfill & hazardous wastes

Nelson information including advice on disposal of hazardous waste. Tasman info on hazardous waste.

To find out if substances and wastes from households, commercial properties and businesses or farm or rural sites are hazardous and need careful disposal, check out the Council options and services. Also see Agrecovery.

Food choices

Love Food Hate Waste

The best kitchen techniques to keep you healthy are also good for our pockets and our environment.

Nelson's Love Food Hate Waste webpage.

Ideas for maximising your food budget and minimising waste.

Composting, worm farm and bokashi recycling options for food scraps and peelings

Nelson Women's Centre - My Grandmothers Kitchen

Water Use and Impacts

Water efficient gardening suggestions

Nelson City tips on water use efficiency.

Help reduce water or stream pollution in Nelson streams and in Tasman

Recipes for environment-friendly cleaners and household products you can make yourself - from Nelson Council.

Keep a watch on swimming water quality and on toxic Phormidium and other algae in Nelson streams, in summer.

Community Resilience & Emergency Preparedness

Civil Defence operations are jointly shared between Nelson City and Tasman District Council.

Check out what you need and what you can do to be prepared for any emergencies http://www.nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz/getting-prepared/

Find out about what you can do for a range of different possible events to 'get thru' during and afterwards.

Tsunami evacuation area maps are available online

Energy Efficiency at home

Home energy efficiency tips

Neslon City's Eco-building design advisor

Solar power generation (photo-voltaics) is gaining popularity here, in the sunniest spot in New Zealand: do a site search on the internet for the many local companies and seek competitive quotes. You can be grid-connected or at higher cost (with batteries) off-grid. Works best if you have a good area of north-facing roof slope.

Travelling around Nelson and Tasman

All of the different transport options available in Tasman: http://www.tasman.govt.nz/transport/

Cars pollute the atmosphere and waterways. Each moving car releases about 74 million cubic litres of polluted air in its lifetime. Pollutants include:

Smoke particles - soot can be carcinogenic - worse from desiel engines
Carbon monoxide and dioxide - global warming gases
Nitrogen and Sulphur dioxides
Ozone - combines with sulphur dioxide to make irritating summer smog
Tiny particles of rubber and brake lining (often includes copper) left on road surfaces, wash into waterways.

So check out alternatives:

Public transport options:
Tasman buses

Nelson buses

Other sustainable transport options: Tasman

Walking

Nelson City Council walking page. Note of tracks open or closed. 'Top of the South' walk routes map link.

Cycling

Find maps for great cycling paths to see around the district, on Tasman’s Great Taste Trail at http://www.tasman.govt.nz/transport/

Mountain biking tracks in Tasman.

Cycle safety information and road code for cyclists

Pedestrian safety

School 'commuter' travel planning in Tasman

School travel planning in Nelson

Extra info on Sustainability in Tasman and Nelson

Enviroschools is a facilitated Programme for schools and early childhood centres choosing a journey for their children (students and community) of becoming more sustainable. In Tasman this Programme has been supported by Tasman District Council since 2004. Contact the Regional Coordinator and check out more about the Programme

Enviroschools in Nelson.

Info for parents of small children on sustainability. (preschool)

Libraries

Check out the Council and Community Libraries in the Tasman District for reading material and videos which may help your efforts:

Similary, Nelson libraries

Nelson Council sustainability at home webpage - for more links.

Community groups

There are many community groups which voluntarily support environmental efforts in Tasman District Council

Keep Richmond Beautiful

Keep Motueka Beautiful

Keep Golden Bay Beautiful

Streamcare Tasman groups

Other community groups can be searched in the Found Directory Tasman

Nelson Environment Centre can help you connect with city-based groups

Environmental interest gatherings

TOTSEE – is the Top of the South Environmental Educators group, meets once a term.

Tip: Petrol at over $2 a litre?

Time to become a fuel-efficient driver or try some other transport? Ideas available in our Travel guide.