Changes to kerbside glass recycling
Thursday, 30 November 2017
On March 1 2018 Waste Management NZ Limited (also operating as Environmental Green Bins) have decided to stop collecting glass in kerbside mixed recycling.
Waste Management are the major contractor in the solid waste space - servicing around 90 percent of our District.
All kerbside rubbish and recycling collection in the Western Bay of Plenty District is carried out by private contractors on a pre-paid basis. This is not a Council run service.
Most private contractors in the wider Western Bay of Plenty send their collected rubbish and recycling to Waste Management's Centre in, Mount Maunganui, Te Maunga or their landfill in Tirohia.
So this decision by Waste Management will affect the majority of private contractors as they will not be able to collect co-mingled recycling which includes glass.
Residents who use private waste contractors should contact their operator as to whether alternative glass disposal options will be provided, or if they would like to discuss the matter or make a comment or complaint.
Waste Management says the reason for the change is that recycling glass is a safety risk and health hazard to staff; is commercially unsustainable and counter-productive in diverting waste from landfill.
After March 2018, Waste Management will continue to collect general waste and sorted recycling kerbside bins from residential and commercial customers.
Council has recycling centres across the District that will continue to accept glass at Athenree, Katikati and Te Puke. Their opening hours are:
Athenree: 64 Steele Road, Athenree
Thursday: 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Saturday: 9.00am - 12 noon
Sunday: 1.00pm - 4.00pm
Katikati: Corner Tetley/Wills Road
Thursday: 9.00am - 12 noon
Saturday: 9.00am - 4.00pm
Sunday: 9.00am - 12 noon
Te Puke: 36 Station Road, Te Puke
Tuesday: 9.00am - 3.30pm
Thursday: 9.00am - 3.30pm
Saturday: 8.00am - 4.00pm
The public can also use Tauranga City transfer stations (Maleme Street and Te Maunga) for their glass recycling.
Waste Management proposes to introduce bins for better communities' where Waste Management will put glass-only recycling bins throughout the community. Participating schools and community groups will be paid for recyclable glass collected from purpose-built bins on their premises.
Council is not involved in the bins for better communities' project.
We have not been advised of the participating groups and schools in the Western Bay who have signed up with Waste Management to provide the drop-off service for glass.
Council is currently reviewing its Solid Waste Strategy and the Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) in an effort to reduce the amount of waste to landfill.
The review is considering a change to Council's role in managing the District's waste, including the investigation of a Council-owned contract and overseeing kerbside collection of waste and recycling for all residents.
The issue of glass collection will be part of this discussion.
We (Council) need your feedback on what you would like to see happen with rubbish and recycling collection in the District. Please email customer.service@westernbay.govt.nz with any feedback.
