7. Waste Management—Waste Reduction Initiatives and FundingDENISE ROCHE (Green) to the Associate Minister for the EnvironmentWaste Management—Waste Reduction Initiatives and Funding7. DENISE ROCHE (Green) to the Associate Minister for the Environment: Is he satisfied the Government is doing enough to reduce waste given that the amount of waste going to landfill has increased from 2.5 million tons in 2009 to nearly 3.3 million tons in 2016?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON (Associate Minister for the Environment): Yes. In 2009 this Government introduced the waste disposal levy to reduce waste and it has worked well so far. New Zealanders have choice and we make decisions every day about what we purchase what packaging we consume and what we do with the waste. I encourage all New Zealanders to take up the opportunities that already exist to reduce reuse and recycle.Denise Roche: Given that an independent review of the waste levy released on Monday concludes that an extension and increase to the levy would reduce waste to landfill create about 9000 jobs and create an economic benefit of around $500 million per year why has his own review suggested that no action be taken?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: I welcome the Waste Management Institute New Zealand (WasteMINZ) report that the member refers to. It is part of a much wider conversation that we need to have nationwide about what we need to do with waste in the world that we live in where there is increasing consumerism and convenience. That report that the member refers to sets out a range of options for the future of waste disposal levies and it complements the review that I myself released on Monday. The three recommendations from the review are focused on addressing these very issues. There are several scenarios suggested in the WasteMINZ report that the member refers to and it is no surprise to me that the Greens are going to focus on the most extreme of those.Denise Roche: Supplementary?Mr SPEAKER: Supplementary question Dr Megan Woods.Denise Roche: Ah thank you.Mr SPEAKER: Sorry Dr—Denise Roche.Denise Roche: Has he considered introducing mandatory product stewardship schemes like refunds on drink containers a charge on single-use plastic bags or advanced disposal fees for tyres which actually reduce landfill waste create jobs and cover the costs of recycling?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: On this side of the House we are not the party of placards and protest. We take a very pragmatic and practical view towards environmental protection and enhancement and no we are not contemplating a plastic bag tax. What I am doing is meeting with stakeholders in the sector mayors and officials regarding the issue of plastic bags and the disposal of them.Denise Roche: If the Government is serious about tackling waste why has Budget 2017 projected a nearly 50 percent increase in the Waste Minimisation Fund which corresponds to a 50 percent increase in waste to landfill?Hon SCOTT SIMPSON: Notwithstanding the member's political question I think that actually what we do want to be talking about is the next big conversation in terms of waste. That is going to be around manufacturers retailers and producers of products actually having a complete full life-cycle approach to their products. In a circular economy it is not just about the convenience of their packaging but the understanding of what the impacts are—Denise Roche: I raise a point of order Mr Speaker. I did ask a question about the Budget; it has not been answered.Mr SPEAKER: No but you included the words If the Government is serious about dealing with the issue of waste …" so it was being addressed by the Minister."