Rubbish & Recycling

Ngā Para me te Tukurua

Council's waste minimisation philosophy

Council has encompassed a philosophy of reducing the amount of waste going to Landfills for disposal through encouraging residents to:

• Reduce - Limit the amount of waste generated
• Reuse - Use items more than once wherever possible.
• Recycle - Enable materials in waste to be used to create new items.
• Recover - Extract value from waste; for example by the production of compost.

To encourage residents to minimise their production of waste, Council's waste disposal (refuse) services operate on a 'user pays' basis, where the greater the quantity of refuse you produce, the more you will pay to dispose of it.

Other alternative options for discarded materials (such as recycling) are, however, offered free of charge.

Check out our Waste Management & Minimisation Plan for more information.

Kerbside solid waste services

A weekly 'kerbside' collection system for recyclable materials and refuse in official bags is provided in the Otorohanga, Kawhia, and Aotea communities.

Collections days

• Ōtorohanga: Wednesdays
• Kāwhia and Aotea: Mondays

Any materials intended for collection should be placed on the kerbside by 8.00am on that day.

When a public holiday falls on a collection day, this will still be collected as per the normal schedule above.

Any changes to the normal schedule will be published on our website, social media, and Antenno app.

Download the Antenno App here to keep up to date with changes.

Kerbside collection rules

Refuse will only be collected if it is presented in official refuse bags, which can be purchased from local stores. There is a 15kg maximum weight limit for rubbish put in these bags.

The price of these bags includes the costs associated with the collection, transport, and disposal of the waste placed in these bags.

The following recyclable materials will be collected:

• Aluminium and steel can (washed)
• Glass bottles and jars (washed)
• Paper and cardboard
• Type 1, 2 and 5 plastics (with lids removed)

All materials for recycling should be placed in the official plastic recycling containers available for purchase from the Otorohanga Recycling Centre. 

More information on rubbish and recycling collection services

Attended recycling centres

Attended recycling centres are operated in:

• Ōtorohanga - 40 Progress Drive
• Kāwhia - Lake Road

Recyclables can be dropped off, free of charge.

Green (plant) waste (excluding noxious weeds or unmanageable material, such as flax) is also accepted on a charged basis at both centres.

The Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Recycling Centres also accept refuse on a charged basis.

Refuse and Recycling - Fees and Charges

Attended recycling centres - open times

Kāwhia
Wednesday: 12.00pm to 3.00pm
Saturday: 12.00pm to 3.00pm
Sunday: 12.00pm to 3.00pm
Statutory Holidays, except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day: 12.00pm to 3.00pm

There may be changes to standard opening times, during public holiday periods.

Any changes to the standard opening times will be published on our website, social media, and Antenno app.

Download the Antenno App here to keep up to date with changes.

For details contact council or Envirowaste 0800 240 120.

Ōtorohanga
Friday to Wednesday: 10.00am to 4.00pm
Thursday: Closed
Statutory Holidays, except for Christmas Day, Good Friday and  Anzac Day: 10.00am to 4.00pm

Unattended rural recycling centres

Council has recycling services available to rural areas of the District through the establishment of unattended rural recycling centres at some rural schools.

Currently, there are facilities at:

• Ngutunui School
• Arohena School
• Maihiihi School
• Korakonui School

These are small recycling-only facilities for the benefit of the community. They rely on community support for their care and management.

These facilities accept the same range of materials as that taken by the urban kerbside service.

Other refuse and waste management services

A landfill in Te Kuiti is available for larger quantities of refuse.

Local contractors also provide private refuse and recycling services.

If you must dispose of a large quantity of refuse, these services are likely to be more cost-effective than the services provided by Council.

Waste management & minimisation plan

The purpose of the Waste Management and Minimisation service is to provide efficient, safe collection and disposal of solid waste in an effective and environmentally acceptable manner.

To achieve this role, Council’s Waste Management and Minimisation management programme includes: 

• two transfer/recycling centres.
• kerbside waste and recycling collection.

Council’s refuse and recycling collection is contracted out. Due to the District’s declining population, Council does not envisage any increase in the amount of refuse going to landfill. Council intends to continue to promote recycling in the District and extend recycling opportunities for the rural sector.

Due to the District’s declining population, Council does not envisage any increase in the amount of refuse going to landfill. Council intends to continue to promote recycling in the District and extend recycling opportunities for the rural sector.

Council intends to continue to promote recycling in the District and extend recycling opportunities for the rural sector.

Safe and efficient waste disposal and recycling services are essential for maintaining public health in communities and protecting the environment. Residual waste is transported out of the district, as Council does not have a consented landfill in its district. Recyclables are stored before being shipped to market.

Residual waste is transported out of the district, as Council does not have a consented landfill in its district. Recyclables are stored before being shipped to market.

The Waste Management and Minimisation Plan was adopted by Council on 24 July 2018.

View Waste Management and Minimisation Plan