Kerbside Collections in the Waimakariri District

Only those properties that are rated for kerbside collection are eligible for kerbside collection services, i.e. refuse bag collection and recycling.

Current collection rates are set at $74.00 (including GST) per annum. The Council no longer delivers refuse bags nor does it charge for the bags in the rates.

Refuse Bag Collection

Only 'official' Waimakariri District Council refuse bags will be collected.  'Official' Council refuse bags can be purchased from any of the Council service centres and most local supermarkets in the District. 

Council retail price is $2.10 per bag for single bag, $10.50 for a 5-pack and $21.00 for a 10-pack. A 25-pack is $51.25. These prices were effective from 1 July 2011. Find out the breakdown of refuse bag costs.

Please have your refuse bags on the ground at the kerbside by 7 am on your kerbside collection day.

Please do not overload your refuse bags as there is a 15 kg weight limit per bag.

Please remember to:

• tie the bag securely, and do not overfill
• put the bag out by 7 am on your collection day
• place the bag at the kerb or as close to the road shoulder as possible, without blocking the footpath or placing it in the gutter
• place the bag clear of obstructions so that the refuse collector can see it as he drives along the road.

Please don't put any of the following in the bag:

• hot ashes
• unwrapped broken glass or crockery
• unwrapped sharp objects
• liquids, including paint
• hazardous wastes
• medical wastes.

Recycling

New recycling wheelie bins have been provided for each property that is rated for the kerbside collection service. Please leave the recycling bin on the property if you move.

• If your recycling bin is damaged, please call one of the Council service centres so that we can organise repairs.
• If your recycling bin is stolen from your property, please report it to the Police, and call one of the Council service centres to report the theft and advise Council of the Police event number.
• If your recycling bin is missing from the roadside on your collection day, please check with your neighbours first in case they have taken it in error, and ring one of the Council service centres to report its loss if it is not returned.

If you are moving into a newly-built house, a recycling bin will be issued to your property (providing you are eligible, i.e. rated for kerbside collection). Please phone or call into any of the Council service centres to tell us that you would like a bin delivered.

If you have moved into a rental property and the previous tenants have not left the bin, please report this to your landlord as soon as possible so that they can arrange for its return, or report it as stolen and arrange for its replacement by the Council.

Please remember, the materials you put out for recycling should be clean and uncontaminated:

• all recycling is to go into the bin
• no hazardous or injurious materials
• no dirty, smelly or offensive materials
• if in doubt, ask yourself if you'd like to handle this item
• please do not overload your wheelie bin as there is a 70 kg weight limit per bin
• please do not overfill your bin - the lid needs to be fully closed to ensure it is picked up (an open lid will allow the wind to blow the recycling out of the bin, and will cause litter problems).

Please have your wheelie bin at the kerbside by 7 am on your kerbside collection day and place secured bags of paper on the crate and tied bundles of cardboard beside the crate.

• Changes to kerbside collections on public holidays.

If you are leaving your earthquake-damaged property for demolition and rebuild, you need to ensure your wheelie bin is stored securely.

The kerbside collection wheelie bins belong to the property they were allocated to. Each bin has an address label on the side with the property's address and a serial number linking the bin to the property. They should not be moved to another property, and should be stored securely so that they do not go missing during the repair or rebuild of buildings on the property.

Please contact the Council and advise the date that you will be leaving your property prior to demolition, to let us know when it is convenient for the wheelie bin to be removed. The bins will be picked up by the Council's kerbside collection contractor and returned once the dwelling or business has been rebuilt. There is no cost for this service.

Red-zoned Properties

If you are moving out of your red-zoned property, please contact the Council so that we can arrange to have our contractors pick up the bin. We'll need to know your street address, the serial number of the bin, your name and contact phone numbers, and the date that you will be moving out or when it is convenient for the bin to be removed. Please leave the bin out on the berm when you leave. There will be no extra charge for this service.