Waipā is cracking down on recycling contamination, which costs ratepayers around $600,000 every year and sends recyclable materials to landfill unnecessarily.
Most people across Waipā are doing the right thing - with 96 percent of bins found to be compliant. But a small number of heavily contaminated bins continue to create problems and add costs.
As part of the strengthened approach, recycling bins will now be removed from properties where severe contamination or repeated contamination is identified during audits.
Council’s Transportation Manager Bryan Hudson said most residents are recycling right but items including medical waste, animal waste and hazardous materials are still being placed in recycling bins across the district.
When that happens, entire truckloads can be rejected and diverted to landfill instead of being recycled. Contamination also creates serious safety risks for the sorting team at the recycling facility.
“By recycling the right way, you’re making a real difference for your community and the environment. By putting the right items in your bins, you’re helping keep contamination low, reducing what goes to landfill, and keeping costs down for everyone.”
Hudson said the stronger approach will help protect a system that works for the whole community.
"This isn’t about punishing people - it’s about tightening up our process, being clearer about expectations, and supporting residents with better information so it’s easier to get it right. At the same time, we’re holding people accountable when contamination is serious or repeated.
"Good recycling shouldn’t be undone by a few wrong items.”
Residents whose bins are removed will need to complete an online recycling test and pay a reinstatement fee before the recycling service can resume.
For more information about recycling correctly in Waipā, visit www.wastelesswaipa.co.nz/recyclingcontamination.
