We asked for your views
From 1-29 April, we asked to hear your thoughts on our proposal to reduce summer kerbside rubbish and glass collections for our east coast communities from twice a week to once a week (from the week of Christmas to the week of Waitangi Day). Fewer than half of the properties overall put out rubbish and glass for collection at each pick-up.
This small change would mean fewer truck trips, lower emissions and a cleaner future for our district. It also helps cut costs. As the rubbish and recycling budget is shared district-wide, our ratepayers would save an average of $33 in rates, and our east coast communities would save even more.
This consultation is now closed, but you can see what we consulted on here.
Your feedback
During the public feedback period from 1-29 April, a total of 255 people and organisations shared their views on whether our Council should reduce its summer kerbside service on the eastern seaboard from twice weekly to once weekly.
Our Council went through the feedback and reported the findings to our elected Councillors and Mayor on 20 May.
Our decision
Our Council decided to go ahead with reducing the frequency of kerbside collections over the peak summer period (from the week of Christmas to the week of Waitangi Day), starting this coming summer. As a result, there will no longer be a second weekly pick up of rubbish and glass in our east coast communities over the summer period.
You can read the agenda and meeting recording on our website.
Our analysis of kerbside collection volumes over the summer demonstrated that demand for rubbish and glass collections didn't warrant a second pick up. The change will mean fewer truck journeys on our roads, lower carbon emissions, and reduced expenditure.
Rubbish and glass will still be collected once a week in these areas, along with mixed recycling and food waste. Even with the coming change, kerbside collections from Whangamatā to Whangapoua will still be more frequent over the summer period than they are during the rest of the year, to cater to the higher visitor numbers during this time.
Some handy things to remember:
- You can still make use of our 24/7 Refuse and Recycling Transfer Stations (RTS) if you've extra rubbish to dispose during the peak summer period. The new Whitianga RTS will also have after hours services when it opens.
- If you're planning for events such as weddings or family celebrations over the summer period, remember you can still use any RTS to dispose of excess glass and rubbish free of charge
- All households have the option to purchase and use two glass bins on glass collection days, allowing them to manage greater glass volumes during the peak period. Drop into your local Council service centre to organise this.
The decision-making process
- From 1-29 April, we asked for public feedback about our proposal to reduce summer kerbside service on the eastern seaboard from twice weekly to once weekly.
- On Tuesday 20 May, our elected Council met to consider all the feedback received before coming to a final decision. After reviewing feedback and analysing kerbside collection volumes, Council decided to cut the second weekly pick up of rubbish and glass in our east coast communities during the peak summer period.
- On Tuesday 24 June, our final 2025/26 Annual Plan was adopted at our Council meeting and can be read on this page.