Improvements coming to recycling drop-off zones

Released: Tuesday 9 July 2019

In order to improve the standard of service at South Waikato District Council recycling drop-off zones, new containers are being installed.

“These new containers will be clearly marked,” said Phil Burt, Council’s Senior Contracts Engineer. “For Putāruru, Tokoroa and Tīrau there will be a large bin for tins and plastics 1 and 2; cages for cardboard and paper and three smaller bins for glass (one for brown, one for green and one for clear).”

Mr Burt indicated that the same would apply to the two rural drop off zones at Kuranui and Te Waotu, except for glass – where only one bin will be provided and glass can be co-mingled, not sorted by colour. Mr Burt advises that the contractor will sort these on collection.

Council’s Communications Manager Kerry Fabrie encourages facility users to mind a few handy tips so that we can all work together to keep our recycling drop-off zones clean and tidy.

“Please fold and flatten cardboard,” she says, “don’t just put the boxes in still constructed – they take up far too much space like that and contribute to the centres overflowing.”

She reminds residents to also remember to rinse plastic containers and bottles and that we can no longer process plastics 3 to 7 so those items need to go in the rubbish, not in the recycling.

“Tops for most bottles and jars aren’t recyclable either so it is best to put those in your rubbish,” she continued.

“Council appreciates the efforts of users in keeping our recycling drop-off zones neat and tidy for other people,” continued Mr Burt.

If the drop off facility is over-flowing, please contact Council on 07 885 0340.

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For more on Council's current recycling and rubbish collection changes, follow this link.