Our popular subsidised home composting scheme is back!
You can buy a 400lt compost bin, benchtop Bokashi unit or worm farm for only $15.
Available to purchase from two locations:
Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre - 60 Te Tahi Street, Whakatāne
Collections from the Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre have finished.
Murupara Service Centre, Pine Drive, Murupara
10am to 4.30pm
From Monday 30 September 2024 onwards (while stocks last)
EFTPOS and cash sales
Did you know the average household throws away 86 kilogrammes of edible food every year?
If we compost this food waste and our garden waste we can:
- reduce the amount of waste going to landfill
- reduce our environmental impact
- produce a valuable compost we can use at home
- reduce our need for artificially manufactured fertilizers
- be more sustainable at home and in the garden
Check out the FAQs below for more information.
FAQs
What is the subsidised home composting scheme?
The subsidised home composting scheme aims to encourage householders to compost their own food and garden waste. This then reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill, while creating a product that homeowners can reuse in their own gardens. The Council provides highly subsidised home composting solutions, funded by central government’s Waste Levy Fund, to support the scheme.
How much does it cost?
Each composting solution, which includes compost bins, worm farms and Bokashi kits, costs the customer $15.
Who pays for the other part?
The scheme is subsidised through central government’s Waste Levy Fund and therefore, isn't paid for by rates.
Where can I buy the composting options from?
The Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre at 60 Te Tahi Street, Whakatāne, and the Murupara Service Centre, 48 Pine Street, Murupara.
When can I collect the option I want?
Between 9.30am and 3.30pm from Saturday 28 to Monday 30 September at the Whakatāne Resource Recovery Centre, and from Monday 30 September at the Murupara Service Centre (while stocks last).
Why should I compost?
Composting your foodwaste and garden waste produces an end-product that will save you money because you won’t have to buy commercial compost. Composting also helps decrease the amount of waste that you send to landfill. Sending food and garden waste to landfill results in significant costs, and also creates greenhouse gases.
What should I do with my new compost bin?
There will be a ‘How To Use Guide’ available when you buy your compost bin. We’ll also be running free workshops, and you can check out YouTube for heaps of great resources.
What should I do with my new Bokashi bin?
There will be a ‘How To Use Guide’ available when you buy your Bokashi unit. We’ll also be running free workshops, and you can check out YouTube for heaps of great resources. Your Bokashi unit will come with everything you need to get started. m.
Is there a limit on how many bins I can buy?
Yes, you can purchase one of each composting solution per person. In fact, a Bokashi unit can work well with a worm farm or compost bin! There is limited numbers of each option, and are available on a ‘first-in, first-served’ basis.
If you're keen to give it a try but don't know where to start, here's some useful information to get you going: