Waste Management launches sustainability strategy

Environmental targets which include continuing to convert 900 trucks and 300 cars to electric are set in Waste Management NZ’s inaugural sustainability strategy.

The strategy, For Future Generations, released on October 31, outlines the company’s sustainability goals as New Zealand’s largest waste and environmental services provider.

It lays the foundation to further reduce Waste Management’s greenhouse gas emissions in line with New Zealand’s climate change commitments and the Paris Agreement, managing director Tom Nickels says.

It also provides for specific approaches to sustainability across the business, working with the company’s communities, customers and internal teams.

“We are at a pivotal moment as the world strives to address climate change as well as the ongoing volatility in the global recycling market,” Nickels says. “The need for effective strategies in these areas is more pressing than ever.”

Through the Climate Leaders Coalition, Waste Management has already committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in line with the Paris Agreement in order to transition to the future low carbon economy.

“For Future Generations, will see us further reduce our emissions to help safeguard our environment,” Nickels says.

“Over the last two years, we have built New Zealand’s first electric vehicle conversion workshop and converted six of our national truck fleet to electric.

“The potential reductions in diesel use and GHG emissions are significant as we continue to convert our fleet of 900 trucks and 300 cars.”

Waste Management has six EV trucks on the road and plans to have 20 of its national truck fleet converted in the next two years. The company aims to have 92 electric cars by the end of 2019.

The strategy will include the formation of a new board of external advisors.

Sir Rob Fenwick, one of the country’s leading businesspeople and environmentalists, will be the first expert in this role.

Waste Management says it will report publicly on progress annually against the five programme areas in For Future Generations.