Rubbish and recycling stations

It is free to recycle the following at Council refuse transfer stations and community recycling centres.

• Aluminium/tin cans.

Please rinse cans. No foil food containers.

• Plastics numbered 1.

Clear and coloured bottles, clean clear meat trays. Please note, these must have the number 1 recycling symbol.

• Plastics numbered 2.

Milk and cream bottles (including Anchor products), opaque, non-coloured cleaning product containers and coloured plastics, such as cleaning product and cosmetic containers. Please note these must have the number 2 recycling symbol. 

• Plastics numbered 5.

Examples include some grocery packaging. 

Note: The number identifying the plastic is normally found on the bottom of the bottle or container. All other plastics not listed above should be included in household rubbish. 

• Cardboard and paper.

Please flatten cardboard, no Tetra Pak food or drink containers, and no plastic-coated or wax-coated cardboard.

• Glass bottles and jars.

Please separate colours: brown, green and clear. 

Note: Window, frosted, crystal or reinforced glass cannot be accepted.

• Waste oil. 

• Whiteware and scrap metal.

Note: Whiteware and scrap metal are accepted at Site class 1 and 2 refuse transfer stations and landfill facilities only.  

• Wet cell and dry cell batteries.

General waste

• Per bag (standard 65L) $3.00
• Oversized bag (130L) $6.00
• Wheelie bin (240L) $11.00
• Loose material (per m3) $46.00
• Compacted and heavy material (per m3) $74.50

eWaste

The Council subsidises the recycling of eWaste because it contains heavy metals and other toxic materials we want to keep out of our environment.

Refuse transfer station charges for eWaste are:

• TV’s / computer CRT screens $10
• TV’s Flat Screen $10
• Monitors LCD $5
• PC’s  Desktop/laptop/server $5 each
• Uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) $5
• Laptop batteries $5
• Network equipment $5.

Greenwaste

Greenwaste is accepted at some refuse transfer stations at a cost of $22 per cubic metre. Please refer to our Rubbish and recycling stations page to see which facilities accept green waste.

Note: branch diameter cannot exceed 75mm. We cannot accept flax, toi toi, bamboo, pampas grass, phoenix palm or cabbage tree.

Tyres

Tyres are accepted for recycling for a fee, depending on the size (see below). Whole tyres cannot be accepted as general rubbish because they are unsuitable for landfill.

Charges at refuse transfer stations are per tyre:

• Motorcycle tyres $3.50
• Passenger car tyres $5
• Light truck and 4x4 tyres $8
• Truck tyres $16
• Tractor and super single $23
• Earth mover tyres are not accepted.

We accept the following types of waste for recycling free of charge:  

• Glass bottles and jars
• Tin and aluminium cans (please rinse)
• Cardboard and paper
• Clear and coloured bottles, meat trays with a 1 recycling symbol, packaging plastics with a 2 or 5 recycling symbol
• Opaque plastic bottles, Anchor milk and cream bottles with a 2 recycling symbol
• Waste oil and batteries
• Whiteware and scrap metal (refuse transfer stations and landfill sites only).

eWaste

Council subsidises the recycling of eWaste because it contains heavy metals and other toxic materials that we want to keep out of our environment. Charges at refuse transfer stations for eWaste are as follows:

• TV’s CRT $10.00
• TV’s Flat Screen $10.00
• Computer CRT $10.00
• Monitors LCD $5.00
• PC’s Desktop/laptop/Server $5.00 each
• UPS’s $5.00
• Laptop Batteries $5.00
• Network Equipment $5.00

Greenwaste

Greenwaste is accepted at some transfer stations at a cost of $22 per cubic metre

Refer to the information sheet about transfer stations to see which ones accept green waste. Please note the branch diameter must be 75mm or less. Vegetation that is not accepted includes flax, toi toi, bamboo, pampas grass, phoenix palm and cabbage tree.

Tyres

Tyres are accepted for recycling at a cost, depending on their size (see fees and charges). Whole tyres cannot be accepted as rubbish because they are unsuitable for landfill. Charges at refuse transfer stations are as follows (cost per tyre):

• Motorcycle tyres $3.50
• Passenger car tyres $5.00
• Light truck and 4x4 tyres $8.00
• Truck tyres $16.00
• Tractor and super single $23.00
• Earth mover tyres not accepted.

Agricultural Plastics

For more information view the Agricultural Plastic Recycling scheme run by - https://www.plasback.co.nz

• Infectious medical wastes
• Dust prone materials
• Liquids, chemicals and sludges
• Dead animals
• Asbestos
• Fuel tanks (empty or otherwise)
• Hazardous waste (other than minor household hazardous waste)
• Explosive and radioactive material
• Commercial air-conditioning or refrigeration units
• Household hazardous waste* (up to 5 litres) is accepted at many transfer stations. Used lubricating oil, paints, agricultural chemicals, animal remedies, pool chemicals and batteries (automotive and household) are all classed as hazardous waste as they are hazardous to the environment. Refer to the refuse transfer station information sheet for details. For quantities more than 5 litres and commercial, contact the Northland Regional Council.

• Per bag (standard 65L) $3.00
• Oversized bag (130L) $6.00
• Wheelie bin (240L) $11.00
• Loose material (per m3) $46.00
• Compacted and heavy material (per m3) $74.50
• Green waste (per m3) $22.00

Rubbish disposal is a user-pay service, so people who generate the most rubbish also pay the most. For the three months over the summer holiday season, the rubbish volume in the Far North almost doubles. User-pays means visitors pay their fair share for rubbish disposal.

Prices for rubbish bags at transfer stations are set by Council at $3 per bag. This charge goes toward waste disposal at landfill, processing of recycling, staffing and maintenance of the transfer station. The money from prepaid bags goes to the waste company, not to Council.

Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in the Far North are a user-pays service provided by waste companies that decide what to charge for these collections. This doesn’t include a free recycling service or the staff and maintenance costs involved in operating transfer stations.