We all create waste, so we all need to do our part to sort it out. The last time we reviewed our district’s rubbish and recycling services was in 2018, and a lot has changed since then. One of the biggest challenges is the rising cost of managing these services efficiently.


At the same time, we are also reviewing our Waste Minimisation and Management Plan 2025-2031.

To turn the tide on waste – together.

Our vision is to achieve low waste outcomes for our district by minimising waste, maximising

diversion and recycling, and placing a greater emphasis on waste prevention and circular

economy thinking. This will result in less waste ending up in landfill. We aim to walk this

pathway towards our vision with our communities – encouraging and enabling them to also

take opportunities to lead or contribute to low waste outcomes. Turning the tide on waste –

together.

Everyone in the district creates waste, so we all need to play our part in managing it. Council’s proposed vision “turning the tide on waste – together” aims to move towards a lower waste society. To support this goal, Council is proposing changes to waste and recycling services.

The last time Council reviewed our waste and recycling services was in 2018. Since then, things have changed. The costs associated with landfill fees, fuel, and labour have all risen dramatically. It costs more to collect and process recycling from homes and it costs more to dispose of the waste. For example, disposing of one tonne of waste in 2018 was $81. Today, it’s $197 per tonne – that’s a 143 per cent increase.

The proposals in this document seek to better meet community needs, are more consistent across the district and will be more cost effective.

We have specific questions around recycling options in Te Aakau, and waste and recycling options on Island Block Road.

We are also informing the community on other changes being made to Council waste services.

Councils play an important role in managing and minimising waste in New Zealand. The Waste Minimisation Act 2008 gives councils the responsibility to promote effective and efficient waste management and minimisation within their district.

The Act also requires councils to adopt a waste minimisation and management plan (WMMP), which must be reviewed every six years.

Our Waste Minimisation and Management

Plan will allow council to:

  • Provide direction and actions to achieve waste prevention, increase recycling and reduce waste to landfill.
  • Efficiently plan for our communities’ needs, now and in the future.
  • Ensure we comply with central government obligations.
  • Access funding from central government via the waste disposal levy, for the implementation of this plan and the support of some of the infrastructure required to deliver council’s vision.
  • Track our progress and measure our success.

    • We are asking specific questions on recycling options for Te Aakau residents. The following map outlines the proposed area of Te Aakau that would pay for and be eligible to use the monthly recycling pop-up service.

    We are also consulting on waste and recycling options for Island Block Road.

    We are also informing our community on other changes being made to Council waste services (see page 5 of the Waste Services consultation material).

    What's the process?

    He aha te tukanga?