Recycling service suspended to several properties

More than 25 properties in Waipā have had their recycling services suspended after serious contamination was repeatedly found inside their recycling bins.

The contamination included dead fish, clothing, used medical supplies and general waste and was found on more than two occasions at each of the properties during routine bin inspections.

Waipā District Council operations team leader Jennifer Braithwaite said after the third occasion, the offending properties had their recycling service suspended.

“We are facing a very serious contamination issue at the moment which is costing Council and ratepayers a significant amount of money.

“There are people in our communities who are deliberately putting contamination into their wheelie bins which has resulted in almost half of the district’s recycling going to landfill.”

It cost around $40,000 in January for Council contractors to collect, sort and dispose of the contamination – an increase from around $30,000 late last year.

Braithwaite said bin inspections were the most effective way to tackle contamination and find those who were causing disruption to the service.

“Until we can get this issue under control, we will continue to suspend recycling services if necessary and crack down on those who try to flout the recycling rules.”

Braithwaite said a service would only be suspended from a property for instances of severe contamination.

“There is a big difference between someone accidentally putting in a #4 plastic container into their recycling bin and putting dirty nappies or old clothes in there.

“In the first instance, we would take an educative approach to deal with the issue. However, the latter is very clearly non-recyclable and will result in the suspension of a service.”

Those who have had their service suspended are required to sign a pledge, agreeing to only put clean and correct recycling into their bins which will be considered by Council staff.

Properties who have their recycling service reinstated will be added to a ‘red list’ and their bins checked prior to any future collections.

Braithwaite said Council was also considering a number of other options such as increasing bin inspections to tackle the issue.

“We are observing what has worked for other councils and considering a number of other options to try to reduce contamination.

“Ultimately however, we need the help of all residents to deal with this. I strongly encourage anyone to report instances of people putting contamination into their recycling bins and we will investigate.”

Residents can report instances of contamination by contacting Council on 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723).

More information on recycling in Waipā can be found at www.waipadc.govt.nz/recycling.

More than 25 properties in Waipā have had their recycling services suspended after serious contamination was repeatedly found inside their recycling bins.

The contamination included dead fish, clothing, used medical supplies and general waste and was found on more than two occasions at each of the properties during routine bin inspections.

Waipā District Council operations team leader Jennifer Braithwaite said after the third occasion, the offending properties had their recycling service suspended.

“We are facing a very serious contamination issue at the moment which is costing Council and ratepayers a significant amount of money.

“There are people in our communities who are deliberately putting contamination into their wheelie bins which has resulted in almost half of the district’s recycling going to landfill.”

It cost around $40,000 in January for Council contractors to collect, sort and dispose of the contamination – an increase from around $30,000 late last year.

Braithwaite said bin inspections were the most effective way to tackle contamination and find those who were causing disruption to the service.

“Until we can get this issue under control, we will continue to suspend recycling services if necessary and crack down on those who try to flout the recycling rules.”

Braithwaite said a service would only be suspended from a property for instances of severe contamination.

“There is a big difference between someone accidentally putting in a #4 plastic container into their recycling bin and putting dirty nappies or old clothes in there.

“In the first instance, we would take an educative approach to deal with the issue. However, the latter is very clearly non-recyclable and will result in the suspension of a service.”

Those who have had their service suspended are required to sign a pledge, agreeing to only put clean and correct recycling into their bins which will be considered by Council staff.

Properties who have their recycling service reinstated will be added to a ‘red list’ and their bins checked prior to any future collections.

Braithwaite said Council was also considering a number of other options such as increasing bin inspections to tackle the issue.

“We are observing what has worked for other councils and considering a number of other options to try to reduce contamination.

“Ultimately however, we need the help of all residents to deal with this. I strongly encourage anyone to report instances of people putting contamination into their recycling bins and we will investigate.”

Residents can report instances of contamination by contacting Council on 0800 WAIPADC (0800 924 723).

More information on recycling in Waipā can be found at www.waipadc.govt.nz/recycling.