Recycling - what we collectTe hangarua - ngā mea e taea ana e mātau te kohi

COVID-19 Recycling update 

We have decided that our kerbside recycling collection is an essential service, although this is not the case for a lot of New Zealand. We’ve done our very best to continue this service as normal. However, please look after our collection teams and do not approach them or their trucks.

Although we will collect your recycling as we normally do, please note the following changes.

• We will continue to collect and recycle your glass bottles, cardboard and paper.
• Your plastic and tins will continue to be collected, but they will not be recycled.

What can you do to help us?
1.Put your plastic and tins out for collection as normal. Although these items will go to landfill, please don’t put them in your rubbish bags as it will quickly overload this system.
2.If possible, store your plastics and tins until the recycling in Napier returns to normal.

Some other top tips:

• Always wipe down your crate handles and wash your hands after you’ve touched your crate.
• Rubbish and recycling should be placed kerbside by 7 am on your normal day.
• As more people are home during the day and parking outside their homes, make sure your crates (or rubbish bags) are visible and are not blocked by vehicles.

Recycling in Napier

If you have any questions about recycling, call our Customer Services Team on 835 7579 and select 6.

Have questions about kerbside recycling? We've possibly answered these already in our Frequently Asked Questions.

Recycling Reminders

1. Use only your three new black crates to put out your kerbside recycling. All other crates, bins or containers won't be accepted.
2. Don't overfill your crates. Only fill your crates so they are level or below the top.
3. Put the right items in the right crates. However, if you have extra items of one type of recycling, you can use one of the other crates for it. But please don't mix types of recycling.
4. Remove all food, liquids and plastic wrap/sleeves. Rinse items if required.
5. Weekly collections. Your recycling service will be collected weekly. Please put your crates out at your kerbside by 7am on your collection day.
6. Smart Trucks. Smart Environmental will also have designated trucks to collect different crates, so please don't be concerned if not all items are collected by the first truck.

When is my recycling collected?

To find out what day we collect from your house weekly, enter your address into our Rubbish and Recycling Database.

Please make sure your recycling is out by 7am on the morning of your collection - and out at the kerbside edge, near the road in front of your property, but not on the road. If you live down a right-of-way put your crates at the kerbside at the end of your right-of-way.

Why has my recycling been left behind?

Some or all items in a crate may be left behind. If we leave items behind we'll put a sticker on them to tell you why, to help you get it right for the next time. Here's some of the reasons why this could happen:

• Broken glass
• Non-council crates(s) used
• Items not contained in crates
• Over-filled crate(s)
• Plastic bags not accepted
• Crate(s) not placed at kerb
• Item(s) are not accepted in Napier
• The item(s) haven't been rinsed or cleaned

Reducing waste 

Omarunui landfill takes about 70,000 tonnes of waste every year. If this waste was not compacted and left above ground it'd fill almost two Westpac Trust Sports Stadiums.

But almost half of what is sent to Omarunui could be recycled or composted. Our Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) adopted in late 2018 aims to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill by promoting the Five Rs - Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover and Residual Management.

We urge our citizens to be mindful of what they consume and to try to buy items that are not packaged, packaged less or in an environmentally-friendly way. That's at the reduce end. But then we'd encourage you to recycle all that you can.