Source: Auckland Council
Papakura residents will no longer need to use prepaid bin tags from Thursday 1 May 2025 as council rubbish collections will be funded by residential property rates.
Papakura is moving from pay-as-you-throw collections to rates-funded as part of a regionwide move towards a standardised waste service for Auckland.
Auckland Council General Manager Waste Solutions Justine Haves says that standardising waste services across Auckland will give everyone access to the same service at the same cost, wherever they live.
“Having everyone on a unified collection service that includes recycling and food scraps, gives us the best chance to minimise waste and reduce emissions as we work towards Auckland’s goal of zero waste by 2040,” says Ms Haves.
“We want to protect Auckland’s natural environment by reducing reliance on landfills, while keeping costs for Aucklanders as low as possible. A universal rates-funded rubbish collection helps us to deliver a more consistent and cost-effective service and makes it easier to engage with Aucklanders on how we can all reduce waste,” she says.
With a choice of three bin sizes, Aucklanders can choose the size that best meets their individual household’s needs. The targeted rates charge for a property’s rubbish collection will depend on the size of the bin.
“If households use their food scrap bins and recycling bins regularly, most will find that a smaller rubbish bin than they have now will work for them. Many people don’t realise that food scraps contribute significantly to harmful greenhouse gas emissions from landfills, and prior to the introduction of the food scraps collection, waste audits found that up to half of the weight of rubbish bins consisted of this waste,” says Ms Haves.
“The other benefit of the food scraps service is that instead of this waste going to landfills and contributing to climate change, Auckland’s separated food scraps are now being used to produce renewable energy and fertilizer for agriculture.”
Large households
For households that require a larger bin even after they are using all three waste bins correctly, there is an option for the ratepayer to request a bigger rubbish bin from Auckland Council, for a slightly higher cost to that household’s rates.
Large households can also request delivery of a second food scraps bin at no charge.
Papakura – important dates
Bin tags will be accepted on council bins in Papakura until Wednesday 30 April 2025. After this date, Papakura residents can get a refund from local libraries for unused bin tags for a limited time – from Thursday 1 May 2025 to Monday 30 June 2025.
Business as usual for Manukau residents
Manukau already has rates-funded rubbish services and Manukau residents should continue to wheel out their bins by 7am on their usual collection day, unless otherwise specified. Residents on a main arterial route may need to place it out the night before or by 5:30am on collection day.
Rural residents
Anyone living in a rural zone who would like to continue using bags should email ruralrefusebags@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz. Rural residents will still have options on the number of waste bags they would like to use, depending on their household requirements, and this is reflected in the targeted waste rate for each household.
More information, including how to request a refund for unused bin tags, can be found on the Auckland Council website.
