There were some very positive initiatives underway across the Auckland Region before amalgamation. These were valued by many, and were the start in the long walk to reducing our individual footprints across our region.
From outside council it's hard to see where the "one size fits all" pressure comes from that seems to force Councillors into making "Regional Decisions" rather than local ones.
I live in Devonport. A Borough known for innovation: first Nuclear Free Borough; also was first to get Kerb-Side recycling underway in New Zealand (I think). That initiative was partly driven by the fact Devonport had its own tip. Also used by Navy. Back then residents could not "chuck it and forget it". They could see the face of the tip. They could see the impact of their wasteful ways. And it was relatively easy for the Borough Council to roll out a significant "reduce, reuse, recycle" program.
When I moved here, household rubbish was collected in small biodegradeable paper sacks. This then shifted to medium sized biodegradeable plastic sacks. The message was you paid for what you dumped, but recycling was free. (I know - you paid for it in your rates - but the economic incentive was there.) While I was on North Shore City Council a whole suburb (Bayswater) trialled a kitchen putrescible collection scheme. The object being to reduce to as close to zero as we could the disposal of organic matter into landfill. This was one of several experiments and innovations.
It is disappointing to see Auckland Council going ahead with what appears to be a one size (bin etc) fits all. This approach may appeal to contractors who can have one size of truck. But taking the long view does require local initiatives and projects to occur - and to build on local initiatives that are already successful and have local buy-in. Otherwise all you are doing is encouraging residents to chuck it and forget it. The environment is big enough to absorb all your rubbish.
Innovation is essential if communities are to play a useful part in cleaning up their acts, and enabling them to participate in local projects which help reduce urban environmental impacts.
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