Source: Auckland Council
Residents close to the Waitākere Ranges can look forward to access to free bins for pest plants for another twelve months as efforts continue in the fight against one of the forest’s major biodiversity threats.
“We’re thrilled to announce the dates and locations for the community weed bins this year, and are excited to be able to support the weeders of the Waitākere Ranges yet again,” says Mel Ward from EcoMatters Environment Trust, who administers the bins.
Funded by Waitākere Ranges Local Board and supported by Auckland Council, the community weed bins provide opportunities for people with invasive weeds in their backyard to get rid of them at no cost.
Ginger leaves and stems can be left on the ground
“The bins have been exceptionally well used and supported by the community in the last twelve months. We’ve been very happy to see them being used to get rid of the right types of pest plants, and I’m pleased to say that the dumping of inappropriate waste has been at its lowest in years,” says Mel.
The invasive weeds accepted at the weed bins are Chinese privet, climbing asparagus, honeysuckle, jasmine, moth plant, plectranthus, tree privet (small branches only), tradescantia, and wild ginger (rhizomes and seed heads only).
“To help us make the bins even more efficient this year, we’d like to encourage people to use them for wild ginger seed heads and roots only as these are the parts that will regrow. Wild ginger stems and leaves don’t need to go into the bin as they can be composted at home. You can just leave them on the ground in the bush on your property,” says Mel.
“This ensures that the bins aren’t filled with unnecessary green matter, and are used in the most efficient way in our fight to protect the Waitākere Ranges,” she says.
Ginger seed heads can be removed and put in the weed bins
The locations and dates for the community weed bins are as follows.
Pop-up Bin Locations
Waiatarua: Waiatarua Hall, 911 West Coast Road
Laingholm: Laingholm Hall, 69 Victory Road
Glen Eden: Kōwhai Reserve, 28 Withers Road
Swanson (9am-4pm): Central Landscape Supplies, 598 Swanson Road
Weed Bin Weekends
14-15 August 2021: Waiatarua and Laingholm
- 11-12 September: Glen Eden and Swanson*
- 9-10 October: Waiatarua and Laingholm
- 13-14 November: Glen Eden and Swanson*
- 11-12 December: Waiatarua and Laingholm
- 15-16 January 2022: Glen Eden and Swanson*
- 12-13 February: Waiatarua and Laingholm
- March: Multiple locations for War on Weeds
- 14-15 May: Glen Eden and Swanson*
- 11-12 June: Waiatarua and Laingholm
*Please note the Swanson bin is only accessible between 9am-4pm.
On the weekends above, the bin will be onsite by 9am on Saturday. An EcoMatters team member will also be there to provide weed advice between 9am-3pm on Saturday. Find out more at ecomatters.org.nz/weedbins
Weed bins are also available on an ongoing basis at Huia Domain and Piha Domain.
