We are required under the Resource Management Act 1991 to manage the discharge of contaminants to the environment and to investigate land for the purpose of identifying and monitoring contaminated land. We also aim to support new and better ways of managing waste and hazardous substances across the region.

New Zealand rural waste minimisation project

We are leading a three-year project to improve rural waste management practices across New Zealand.

Managing disaster waste

Environment Canterbury supports the regional management of disaster related waste. Including construction and demolition waste and the safe transport and disposal of disaster waste.

How is asbestos dealt with?

A key aspect of dealing with earthquake waste is the management of damaged buildings that are constructed with asbestos. 

Industrial pollution prevention

Every day business actions can impact on the environment, often without anyone knowing. While the industrial sector is just part of the total pollution risk to Canterbury’s environment, the region’s...

Hazardous land use

Since 2008, all regional councils around New Zealand have been tasked with identifying land that may be affected, through vigorous scientific testing.

Policy and regulation

We set a number of rules relating to the storage, application and disposal of waste and hazardous substances in Canterbury.

Current waste issues

We're researching several categories of waste that affect Canterbury and often have national application.

Agricultural chemicals

Find out how to safely and legally dispose of used or unwanted agrichemicals and view a list of banned agrichemicals.

Canterbury Waste Joint Committee

The Canterbury Waste Joint Committee is responsible for advancing regional solid waste and hazardous waste minimisation in Canterbury.