Whakatāne District residents can expect to see a new recycling bin with a bright yellow lid arrive at their properties between 15 September and 3 October. The new bin allows a ‘glass out’ recycling system to be introduced, as part of the enhanced recycling service which will be rolled out across the District from 1 October.

A key change will see the current recycling crate used for glass only, while the new yellow-lidded bin will be used for all other recyclables (paper and cardboard, steel and aluminium cans, grades 1-7 plastics, and plastic bags). The use of the existing refuse and greenwaste bins remains unchanged.

The kerbside recycling collection will also change from a weekly to a fortnightly service, on alternate weeks to the greenwaste collection (where that service is provided). While the recycling collection will be less frequent, the extra capacity provided by the new bin will allow residents to recycle a greater volume of recyclable material. The ability to recycle grades 1 - 7 plastics (rather than just grades 1 & 2) will also mean more material is recycled and less waste is sent to landfill.

Recycling collections will be undertaken on the same day of the week as the general refuse collection, which will continue each week as usual. Changes to the current system, including confirmation of the date of the first fortnightly recycling collection, will be explained in a leaflet delivered with the new bin.

Anyone wanting to check the date of their next recycling (or greenwaste) collection can use the Waste Collection Days search tool, which will be updated to reflect the new collection routine before the end of September, or simply ring the Council’s customer service team on 07 306 0500.