A programme to collect and safely dispose of hazardous waste from properties in Christchurch's red zone has dealt with more than twice as much waste as expected.
Amy Adams at a waste disposal site on Friday. Photo: RNZ
The Household Hazardous Waste Management Programme is to receive additional funding due to demand.
The Canterbury Regional Council initiated the programme at the start of 2012 to ensure that products such as paint and garden sprays were disposed of correctly.
The council expected to collect 100 tonnes of waste over three years, but has picked up 203 tonnes in just 11 months.
Environment Minister Amy Adams said in Christchurch on Friday the programme would receive an extra $500,000, taking it to over $1 million.
Ms Adams said more than 360 tonnes of waste products are now expected to be collected from 7860 red-zoned properties by the time the programme is completed at the end of this year.
