Hamilton city council will commit $5.6m to continue vermi-composting sewerage sludge, and transporting non-human waste to landfill for another 3 1/2 years.
The wastewater treatment plant produces around 14,400 tonnes of waste-water sludge annually.
Since 2012, it has been transported to a vermi-composting plant in Tokoroa, where it is mixed with wood chips, and decomposed using worms.
Non human waste is transported and landfilled at the Tirohia Landfill, near Paeroa.
To date, more than 34,539 tonnes of sludge has been diverted from landfill as a result of this contract. Adopting this solution means that the council doesn’t send any sewerage sludge to landfill, fulfilling an objective of its waste management and minimisation plan.
Before 2012, the sludge and non human waste were transported to the Hampton Downs Landfill, near Te Kauwhata.
Of the $5.6m commitment, $2.8m is for the three year vermi-composting contract extension, and $2.8m is for the extended contract for collection and disposal of biosolids, which is dealt with by a separate contractor.
