Changes coming to collection services

Date:

Jun 27, 2018

Changes to residential rubbish and recycling collections are on the way, providing a much more consistent and streamlined service across the district.

With QLDC’s current waste contracts up for renewal and a new Waste Management and Minimisation Plan due to be adopted this Thursday , QLDC General Manager of Property and Infrastructure Peter Hansby said it was the perfect opportunity to respond to feedback from the community that we need to do better in the waste space.

“Our communities care deeply about their environment and we’re listening to their feedback that we need to make improvements to the way we manage waste” he said.

From 1 July 2019, properties in Queenstown and Wanaka will have three wheelie bins.  One for waste to landfill, one for glass recycling and the final bin for mixed recyclables.   Residents will have a waste bin collected weekly, and a glass bin and mixed recyclables bin collected on alternative weeks.

Mr Hansby said the new system supports the preferred Waste Minimisation and Management Plan programme of focussing on glass and organics, with the ability to bring in an organics collection at a later date.   

“Currently, glass collected in the Wakatipu ward is sent to landfill because it is mixed in with other recyclable material making it very difficult to recycle.  While there’s more to do, the new three bin system will mean glass can be collected separately making a huge step towards improving this situation.” 

“We will support the new approach with an increased focus on education to significantly reduce the amount of household waste being generated and increase what we divert from landfill and recycle.”

There are many other benefits of changing the services including providing a more consistent service across the district and improving the safety for our collection crews.  

“Currently we have an inconsistent approach to collections across the district.  The new approach significantly reduces the risk of injury, removing the need for our crews to physically pick up heavy bags and crates,” Mr Hansby said. 

The new waste contract will go out for tender next month with a decision due to be made prior to Christmas.

The Council will be asked to adopt a final Waste Minimisation and Management Plan at its meeting on Thursday. 

ENDS

The final waste minimisation and management plan is available at www.qldc.govt.nz

For more information please contact the QLDC communications team 03 441 0499 or communications@qldc.govt.nz