Recycling and rubbish collection is carried out on the same day. We request that both the refuse and recycling is out at the kerbside by 7:30 am. The contractor starts the day at 7:30 am and, depending on the volume of material out for collection and the number of vehicles operating, the time of the collection may vary significantly. If you have had your bin or bag at the kerbside by 7:30 am and it hasn’t been collected please call the Council on (03) 307 7700 as soon as you become aware of it.
In Ashburton, Methven, Rakaia, Hinds, Mount Somers and Mayfield Council uses an official pre-paid, black bag system. Black bags are sold in rolls of five.
Recycling in Ashburton, Methven, Hinds, Mount Somers and Mayfield is carried out using an official green recycling bin. This is rates funded.
Rakaia uses a three bag system. The black bag is for rubbish and there is also a blue (dry bag) and green (wet bag) collection. The blue and green bags are sold in rolls of five.
There is no limit on the number of black, official bags you may place at kerbside for collection. Recycling bins have been delivered to every residential property in Ashburton, Methven, Hinds, Mt Somers and Mayfield. If your property is brand new you are entitled to a free recycling bin. If your property does not have a recycling bin please contact the Council and we will check to see if we have a record of delivery. Replacement and additional bins may be purchased from the Council. Up to five recycling bins may be placed at kerbside for collection.
Methven, Mayfield, Mount Somers and Hinds are all collected on a Monday. Rakaia is collected on a Friday.
The Central Business District, the area bounded by Havelock Street, East Street, Cass Street and Kermode Street, is collected on a Tuesday and a Friday. Please have your items for collection at the kerbside by 9.00 am.
The kerbside collection service is for domestic use only it is not intended to service businesses. Businesses are requested to take their recyclables to a drop-off facility.
Ashburton, Methven, Mayfield Mounts Somers and Hinds
Green Bin Recycling
| Acceptable |
Unacceptable |
| Glass bottles and jars |
Window glass, light bulbs, drinking glasses, crystalware, kitchenware, porcelain, ceramics or pottery |
| Any plastic container |
Plastics that have contained meat product, polystyrene, hazardous chemical containers, plastic shopping bags or gladwrap |
| Aluminium and tin/steel containers |
Paint or solvent cans |
| All paper |
Books, food wrappings or paper used for personal hygiene |
| Cardboard up to A1 size |
Commercial quantities or fast food packaging |
| |
Syringes, sharp knives or sharp objects |
All containers, bottles and jars should be rinsed, have lids removed, and flattened where applicable. The contents of your recycling bin may be left unsorted, and labels may be left on.
Rakaia
Blue and Green Bag Recycling
| Blue Bag (Dry) |
Green Bag (Wet) |
| Acceptable |
Unacceptable |
Acceptable |
Unacceptable |
| Metal items. Any type of tin. Containers or objects. |
Any green waste |
Vegetable peelings, food scraps, leftovers, meat scraps, all wrapped in newspaper if possible. |
Metal items. |
| Plastic items. Any type. |
Any hazardous item. |
Wet paper of any sort. |
Plastic items, other than bin liners. |
| Paper items. Large items may be tied up and placed at kerbside. |
No dirty, wet paper. |
Bones, egg shells, light wooden items e.g. matches, skewers. |
Solid heavy wooden items |
| Glass/china items. Any type. Broken or sharp items should be disposed of. |
Any large, heavy items. E.g. concrete blocks, bricks, stones etc |
Pet droppings in bag/cardboard box, pet hair/fur, leftover petfood. |
Stones of any sort |
| Clothing. Any type, including boots shoes, hats, jackets etc. |
Wet type batteries. |
Clothes dryer lint, vacuum cleaner bags and contents. |
Chemicals |
| Wood. Any type, old toys, broken furniture, cane baskets etc. |
|
Cigarette butts, ashes, fireplaces ashes, floor sweepings etc. |
Hazardous/toxic items. |
| Dry type batteries. |
|
Lawn clippings, hedge trimmings, weeds, vegetables, fruit, flowers, pruning, leaves, dirt, old pot plants etc. |
Glass items. |
All containers, bottles and jars should be rinsed, have lids removed, and flattened where applicable. The contents of your recycling bin may be left unsorted, and labels may be left on.