Re-start with return of food scrap collections

Council’s mission to reduce waste to landfill is back at full capacity as green lid food scraps bins return to kerbside collections.

From Monday 9 May all eligible households can place their Western Bay of Plenty District Council official food scraps bins back on the kerbside each week.

Council’s Deputy CEO and Group Manager Infrastructure Services Gary Allis says he’s excited to have our full services up and running again and sees it as a chance to reset.

“Let’s all use this re-start as an opportunity to reinvigorate our habits and make good use of all waste minimisation options on offer. If you have not used the service yet, or are sceptical about the benefits of the service for the environment – now is the time to give it a go.

“Reusing food scraps is a key part of our strategy to reduce waste. By not sending food scraps to landfill we reduce emissions and reuse precious nutrients as food scrap bin contents go on to become compost that grows more fruit and vegetables – it’s a win-win.”

However, Council’s random bin audits from February 2022, before recent Covid interruptions to our service delivery, showed there is still a lot of food scraps going into the red lid rubbish bin destined for landfill. Our goal now is for people to resume their great food scrap recycling habits and improve on our pre-Covid diversion rates.

Gary says, “We know the recent Covid related service interruptions have meant some food scraps ended up in the landfill, but we’re hopeful that some residents were able to freeze or safely store their food scraps for our first collections.

“Soon we’ll be running at full capacity again and we hope everyone will get on board with food scraps. We know there’s a lot of information out there, so we’ve refined a few tips for anyone who’s not sure about how to make the best use of their food scraps bin.”

Tips and tricks for food scraps bins

Food scraps collections take place weekly and can be lined with brown paper or newspaper, to help keep the bin clean and odour free.

Plastic lining, even if it is biodegradable or compostable, can’t be collected as the varying plastics can contaminate the compost at the composting facility. It’s also important to keep your food scraps bin in a cool place outside, where its less likely to attract flies.

Things you can put in your food scraps bin

• Fruit and vegetable stalks, peels and cores
• Meat, fish, bones and cooled fat
• Egg shells and seafood shells
• Coffee grounds and tea leaves
• Indoor cut flowers and bouquets – ribbons and wire removed
• Kitchen paper towels

Things that should go in the red lid rubbish bin

• Cigarette butts
• Fruit stickers
• Tea bags
• Liquids
• Animal waste and pet sand
• Grass clippings or green waste
• Plastic or compostable bags or bin liners
• Cling film, food wrapping, waxed paper or aluminium foil
• Compostable packaging – paper coffee cups or lids

Food scraps collections are only available to people who receive a ‘full service’.

Check our collection day finder to see if you qualify for food scraps collections kerbsidecollective.co.nz/collection-day

Can’t remember when to put your bins out? Download the Antenno app and we’ll send you a reminder each week westernbay.govt.nz/antenno