Tauranga

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Recycling and Waste Management

Details on garbage collection, recycling processes, and waste management services in Tauranga.

Sections

1. Categories of Waste

Tauranga's waste management system separates waste into the following categories:

  • General Waste (Rubbish): Non-recyclable and non-compostable items.
  • Recyclables: Items that can be processed and reused, such as paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and metals.
  • Food Waste: Organic kitchen waste, including fruit and vegetable scraps, meat, and dairy.
  • Green Waste: Garden waste such as grass clippings, leaves, and small branches.
  • Hazardous Waste: Items like batteries, chemicals, and e-waste (electronics).
  • Bulky Waste: Large items such as furniture and appliances.

2. Recycling Procedures

Tauranga has a kerbside collection system for recycling and waste. Here’s how to sort and prepare your waste:

Recyclables

  • Accepted Items:
    • Clean paper and cardboard (flattened).
    • Plastics labeled with recycling codes 1, 2, and 5.
    • Glass bottles and jars (rinsed, with lids removed).
    • Aluminum and steel cans (rinsed).
  • Not Accepted:
    • Soft plastics (e.g., plastic bags, cling wrap).
    • Polystyrene.
    • Dirty or food-contaminated items.
  • Preparation:
    • Rinse all recyclables to remove food residue.
    • Flatten cardboard to save space.
    • Place recyclables loose in the yellow-lidded bin (no plastic bags).

Food Waste

  • Accepted Items:
    • All food scraps, including meat, bones, and dairy.
  • Preparation:
    • Place food waste in the provided food scraps bin (small green bin).
    • Use compostable liners if needed (available at local stores).

General Waste

  • Non-recyclable items go into the red-lidded rubbish bin.

Green Waste

  • Green waste is not collected kerbside but can be dropped off at designated facilities (see below).

Hazardous and Bulky Waste

  • These items require special handling and must be taken to specific facilities (details below).

3. Associated Costs

Tauranga City Council introduced a user-pays system for kerbside collections in 2021. Here’s a breakdown of costs:

  • Kerbside Collection Service (Annual Fees):
    • Recycling bin (yellow lid): Included in rates.
    • Food scraps bin (green): Included in rates.
    • General waste bin (red lid): Pay-per-pickup system using pre-purchased tags.
  • General Waste Tags:
    • Tags cost $3.95 each and must be attached to the red bin for collection.
    • Tags are available at supermarkets and council service centers.
  • Green Waste Drop-Off:
    • Fees vary depending on the volume and type of green waste. For example, a carload may cost around $10–$15.

4. Local Facilities

Tauranga has several facilities for waste disposal and recycling:

Transfer Stations

  • Te Maunga Transfer Station:
    • Location: Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui.
    • Services: General waste, green waste, hazardous waste, and recycling drop-off.
    • Hours: Open daily (check the council website for holiday hours).
  • Maleme Street Transfer Station:
    • Location: Maleme Street, Greerton.
    • Services: Similar to Te Maunga, including e-waste recycling.

Community Recycling Centres

  • These centers accept specific items like e-waste, batteries, and soft plastics. Check with local centers for accepted materials.

Green Waste Facilities

  • Dedicated green waste drop-off points are available at transfer stations.

5. Collection Schedules

Tauranga operates a weekly and fortnightly kerbside collection system:

  • Weekly Collection:
    • Food scraps bin (green).
  • Fortnightly Collection:
    • Recycling bin (yellow lid) and general waste bin (red lid) are collected on alternating weeks.
  • Collection Day:
    • Your collection day depends on your address. Use the Tauranga City Council’s online collection day finder to confirm your schedule.

6. Regional Considerations and Guidelines

  • Contamination Penalties: If your recycling bin contains non-recyclable items, it may not be collected. Repeat contamination can result in fines.
  • Soft Plastics Recycling: Soft plastics are not accepted in kerbside bins but can be dropped off at participating supermarkets (e.g., Countdown or Pak’nSave) as part of the Soft Plastics Recycling Scheme.
  • Home Composting: Tauranga encourages residents to compost at home to reduce food and green waste. Subsidized compost bins and worm farms are available through the council.
  • Hazardous Waste Disposal: Items like paint, chemicals, and batteries must be taken to transfer stations. Some hazardous waste disposal services may be free for households.

7. Tips for New Residents

  • Download the Tauranga City Council App: The app provides reminders for collection days, tips on sorting waste, and updates on services.
  • Participate in Community Clean-Ups: Tauranga has a strong community focus on sustainability, with regular beach and park clean-up events.
  • Educate Yourself on Māori Values: Tauranga is part of the Bay of Plenty region, which has a strong Māori cultural presence. Concepts like kaitiakitanga (guardianship of the environment) are integral to local waste management practices.

By following these guidelines, you can easily navigate Tauranga’s waste management system and contribute to the city’s sustainability efforts. For more information, visit the Tauranga City Council website or contact their customer service team.