"We can only encourage people, but I suspect a small percentage of our population will need to face penalties before the message gets through," he told the Waitaki District Council's final meeting for the year last week.
The council this week approved a draft waste management and minimisation plan 2012-20 for public consultation. It will manage and reduce waste, and has to be approved by June 30.
Mr Familton said the review was timely, and the council had a "very good draft" to go to the public.
Most people had had time to assess their needs and match them with a private contractor-provider.
Many people recycled, reused and made compost and produced minimal waste. Schools hadhelped in the education process and many young people led the way in "doing the right thing".
He believed the council needed to keep the educational drive - avoid, reduce, reuse, recycle and dispose - in place for some time.
He encouraged people to submit on the future plan for waste because their thoughts and ideas were important.
The council would focus on maximising the diversion of waste from landfills and allow personal choice.
"Those who generate more waste or do not recycle will pay more. Proper attention to waste disposal processes saves personal cost and the environment," he said.
