New recycling rules across the country from February 1

A new tool will be at the fingertips of Waipā residents from today, February 1, to help guide them through central government led changes to kerbside recycling.

The ‘Can I recycle this?’ tool, on a specially designed website focussed on waste minimisation will allow residents to search for items to see if they can be recycled, or if there is an alternative option to sending those tricky items to landfill.

The rules, which came into effect across New Zealand today, set out exactly what can be recycled in your kerbside bins, with only seven items to remember – plastics with the recycling symbol and numbers 1, 2 or 5, tins, cans, paper, and cardboard.

Group manager service delivery Dawn Inglis said confusion about what can and can't be recycled has played a big part in contamination issues for Waipā.

"Having standardised recycling rules will make it easier for people to use our recycling services and get recycling right. Our new tool is a great way to check everyday packaging, with over 270 items included.

“The good news is that there isn’t much changing for us, with only aerosol cans, tin foil and lids and bottle tops no longer being accepted,” Inglis said.

From February 1, the following items won’t be accepted in recycling bins no matter where you are in New Zealand:

• Aerosols (like fly spray or spray deodorant)
• Aluminium foil or trays
• Lids, caps, and bottle tops
• Small plastics or small pieces of paper
• Large plastics or metal cans

You can find the recycling tool and waste minimisation tips at wastelesswaipa.co.nz.