Four ‘Well-beings’ - Social, Economic, Environmental & Cultural - A Sustainable Development Approach To Biosolids Management

In New Zealand, since 2002, it has been mandatory for local government decision-makers to consider the environmental, economic, social and cultural well-being of the community in every decision they make. This applies very much to sludge and biosolids management and is additional to strong resource management laws. This new legislative prescription (particularly the social and cultural imperatives) is creating significant new challenges for the management of sludge and biosolids and New Zealand's experience in this area is considered relevant to all countries and communities that have a strong social agenda and a commitment to the rights and obligations of indigenous people.