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Urban Collection

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Collection days

The kerbside collection for those on the urban collection east of the Waioeka Bridge is Tuesday.

The kerbside collection for those on the urban collection west of the Waioeka Bridge is Wednesday.

Please have your rubbish out by 8am.

The contractor goes up one side of the street and down the other and the time they collect from your place may have changed, so everything needs to be out by 8am.

Please call us from 4pm on your collection day if your recycling and refuse is not collected and you haven't been left a notice telling you why.

Collection area

The urban collection area is from Paerata Ridge Road in the west to Stoney Creek Road in the east.

What you can put out for collection

Refuse: You can put out your 45Ltr wheeled refuse bin with the red lid each week.

Residual refuse will only be collected if it is in this bin. Only one bin will be emptied per household each week.

Recycling: Only two types of recycling get collected each week. You need to put out the two correct types of recycling in the correct crates, on the correct alternate weeks. Under the new system, paper and tin get put out one week and glass and plastic the next.

Note: Only the recycling material inside the crate will be picked up. Any recycling outside the crate will be left.

How to know what types of recycling to put out each week

Each set of crates and bin come with an information pamphlet and calendar. Before 1 July each year Council delivers a new pamphlet and calendar to every household in the collection area.

Copies of the calendars can be viewed online:

Kerbside Collection Calendar - Tuesday collection - East

Kerbside Collection Calendar - Wednesday collection - West

We have spare calendars at our office, or phone us on 07 3153030 and we'll send one out to you

We recommend you download the Antenno app and load your address as a favourite place to receive reminders straight to your phone each week on which recyclables to put out. The reminders are sent out on Monday mornings.

What you can (and can't) put in your recycling crates

Grey paper recycling crate: Newspapers, magazines, junk mail and cardboard.

Can include pizza boxes but remove all food scraps and flatten.

Don’t include:

  • Shredded paper
  • Plastic-coated papers/cardboard

Black tin recycling crate: Food and drink tins and cans are the only metal items than can go in your black crate.

Empty, lids removed and rinsed.

Don’t include:

  • Aluminium foils and food trays
  • Aerosol cans

Orange plastic recycling crate: Only those with the recycling symbol numbered 1, 2 or 5 (things like empty and clean meat trays, milk, soft drink and juice bottles, some takeaway containers).

Empty, lids removed and rinsed.

Don’t include:

  • Soft plastics, polystyrene or clingwrap.
  • Contaminated or hazardous substances like paint containers
  • Mixed plastics / materials like toys and games

Blue glass recycling crate: Bottles and jars.

Empty, lids removed and rinsed.

Note: only bottles that fit into crate (approx. six-dozen bottles)

Don’t include:

  • Panes of glass like window glass
  • Drinking glasses
  • Broken glass
  • Glass with other materials attached (like light bulbs and mirrors)

What should I do with things I can’t recycle?

There are some items that can be recycled, but not in the kerbside collection. Many items, including greenwaste, tyres, whiteware, gas bottles, batteries can be brought to one of our RRCs. Read more on locations, charges, materials and hours.

Medical waste (old medicines, needles, syringes etc) can be dropped off your local heath centre.

Look after the crates and bin

Once you sign for them, you are responsible for them.

We're sure you don't want to have to pay for replacement crates and bins, so we advise you to look after them. You may want to write or paint your address on them - you could use some form of permanent marker or white paint etc. If you require replacements, these can be purchased from Council at 108 St John Street, Ōpōtiki.

The crates and bin are allocated to the property, so if you move to a new house you need to leave them behind.

How to get a replacement bin or crates

Replacement recycling crates and refuse bins can be purchased from Opotiki District Council at 108 St John Street, Opotiki.

The cost for a new recycling crate is $18.00 (includes the identifying sticker).

The cost for a new refuse bin (complete with wheels and lid) is $38.00 (includes the identifying sticker).

Lining your refuse bin is optional

If you want to put a liner in your refuse bin you can but you don't have to.

How to lock your refuse bin

This will stop dogs getting in to it.

To lock: With one hand brace the bin and with the other hand pull the black handle up to lock it in to place.

To unlock: Hold the bin steady with one hand and firmly push the handle directly down in a smooth vertical motion.

Stack your crates for the wind

To stop your paper or plastic recyclables blowing around on windy days stack your heavier crate on top e.g. tin crate on paper crate and glass crate on plastic crate.

Look after yourselves and our contractors

Anything dangerous, sharp or pointy should be wrapped in newspaper or cardboard before being put out for collection.

What are the numbers that are on my crates and bin?

These need to stay on the crates and bin and are unique identifiers based on the address of the property that the crates and bin have been allocated to. Please take a record in case the number gets worn off. Failure to display the unique bin number may result in your waste not being collected.

How can I make a difference to reduce household waste?

  • Grow your own
  • Buy in bulk
  • Make it from scratch - for example to avoid buying non-recyclable pots of yoghurt, make your own homemade yoghurt
  • Make simple switches for products that come in no packaging or recyclable packaging
  • Reuse glass or plastic containers
  • Mend and repair clothing and household items
  • Swap food and household items with families and friends.

There are many ways you can have a huge impact on how much waste you generate. It starts with being intentional and conscious with what you buy and consume.

FutureFIt has a great list of resources and advice on everyday lifestyle choices we can make to save money, have a healthier life and care for the planet.

How can I reduce my use of plastic?

There are loads of simple swaps and changes that every household can make to reduce their use of plastics and contribute to overall waste minimisation.

Make product packaging a factor in your purchasing decisions and aim to generate as little waste as possible with what your household consumes.

  • Choose products that come in glass jars, tins or cardboard rather than plastic. All are easily recyclable and you can repurpose glass jars for dry goods and food storage.
  • Switch to bar soap instead of shower gels
  • Switch to bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic.
  • Keep reusable bags for groceries and produce in your car to avoid plastic bags
  • Buy in bulk using reusable or paper bags
  • Make your own or use refillable cleaning products
  • Bring your own containers / keep cup for takeaway foods or dine-in
  • If you are a big consumer of carbonated drinks, consider investing in a soda stream to make your own.
  • Avoid products where the items are individually wrapped (i.e. snack foods, teabags)
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