Kāpiti Coast District Council is a winner when it comes to sustainability.

The Council was commended in the 2016 EECA Awards for its continuing energy and emissions saving work.

EECA judges said excellent leadership had led to a comprehensive group of long-term interlinked projects which were reducing the council’s carbon footprint and saving ratepayers’ money.

The Council made energy savings through vehicle maintenance, reduced mileage and educating staff on how to be more fuel efficient when driving.  Walking, cycling and taking public transport were also promoted as good alternatives to driving cars. This campaign achieved a 12% reduction in petrol and diesel use in 2014/15, saving $20,000 and 56 tonnes of carbon dioxide.

The Council’s electric refuse collection truck (a world-first) also contributed to this saving.

In 2015, a new 32 kilowatt grid-tied, solar electric system, installed at the Paraparaumu wastewater treatment plant is generating 40,000 kilowatt-hours of energy per year saving six tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions and $6,500 in energy costs each year.