Council gradually ramps up Western Bay recycling
Recycling services in the Western Bay will resume gradually to full service as the COVID-19 alert transitions through Level Two, but only Katikati and Te Puke centres will operate during Level Two.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council Utilities Manager Kelvin Hill acknowledges that there is some frustration that full recycling services have not been reinstated but he says the health and safety of the public and staff must take priority.
Services over the next two weeks
- Katikati Recycling Centre will open on Thursday 14 May and Saturday 16 May from 9am to 4pm, closing for lunch from 12 noon to 1pm each day. Please access the Katikati Centre from Wills Road.
- Te Puke Recycling Centre will open for two days the following week on Thursday 21 May and Saturday 23 May, from 9am until 4pm with a one-hour closure from noon until 1pm. Please access the Te Puke Centre from Station Road.
- Both centres will have the same operating layout as during the previous three-day opening period.
- Outside of these dates the recycling centres will be closed until further information is provided by the government and Council.
- See below for accepted items and conditions of entry.
While the Level Two changes will be a good transition, Kelvin says Council will be arranging additional opening days in the coming weeks to help ease the backlog of both plastic and other recycling products, including greenwaste, that people are anxious to get rid of.
People will be able to put their recycling directly into bins that will be beside where they park. This layout allows for minimal movement for customers and ensures physical distance is maintained.
There have been enquiries as to why the recycle centre in Athenree and the Omokoroa greenwaste facility remain closed.
Kelvin says these centres will only re-open when Council can meet all the requirements imposed under the respective alert levels.
“Council is using a staged approach to move its centres back to full functionality. We are giving residents in the western side of the District (Katikati) and eastern side of the District (Te Puke) the ability to recycle a limited range of products for the next two weeks. We regret that this may cause inconvenience to residents in other areas.
“We have made this decision to reduce the health risks posed by opening centres. Council must safeguard the health of the public and staff when opening its services.”
He says the public responded well to the opening of the two centres during Level Three and everything went smoothly. Katikati had 1200 vehicles through the centre and Te Puke had 1095.
“We were pleased to be able to offer at least some relief for people who had been stockpiling their recycle products for so long. The numbers speak for themselves. We thank everyone for their cooperation and gratitude during those three-day openings.”
Accepted items
Cardboard (it must be flattened prior to arrival at the centre) |
Paper – separated from cardboard prior to drop-off |
Glass (remove all tops from bottles and jars). All glass colours will be collected together under Level Three |
Aluminium and tin cans (separate before dropping off) |
NO plastics will be accepted due to COVID-19 transmission risk |
NO greenwaste will be accepted |
Conditions of entry
One person per car (exception being solo parents with children who are strapped in the car seats and elderly people) |
Limited number of vehicles will be allowed on site at any one time |
No trailers allowed |
No pets in cars |
If weather conditions are too bad on the planned opening days, the centres will not open, so that the safety of staff and public is ensured. Notification will be given. |
Quick stats
Volumes through Katikati during the previous three-day opening:
Glass mixed: 18.75 tonne
Cardboard: 2.52 tonne
Paper: 5 tonne
Tin cans: 350kg
Aluminium Cans: 250kg
Volumes through Te Puke during the previous three-day opening:
Glass mixed: 25.75 tonne
Cardboard: 2 tonne
Paper: 4 tonne
Tin cans: 400kg
Aluminium cans: 300kg
