Rubbish and Recycling
Why was my bin not collected?
If your bin isn’t picked up, make sure you:
Put it out before 7am on your collection day
If you missed the cut-off, put the bin out on its next collection week. If it’s urgent, take the contents to the Waimate Resource Recovery Park.
Have the right collection week
Check the Waimate Bins App or the Rubbish and Recycling information on our website at waimatedc.govt.nz
Look for a tag or sticker that shows an incorrect item was placed in the bin
If so, the sticker tells you what type of item isn’t allowed. Remove the incorrect items and put your bin out on the next collection week for that bin.
Our waste collection contractors are trained to recognise the wrong items placed in the recycling bins. We also carry out random bin audits to check the correct items are being recycled and composted. Please feed the correct items to the right bin so your collection service can continue.
Look for a sticker that shows that your bin was too heavy
Blue glass crate should be no heavier than 12kg
Green organics bin should be no heavier than 40kg
Yellow recycling bin should be no heavier than 40kg
Red rubbish bin should be no heavier than 20kg
Please remove some of the weight and put your bin out on the next collection week for that bin.
If you’re not sure why your bin wasn’t collectedlog a request through the Waimate Bins App, phone our customer services team on (03) 689 0000 or email council@waimatedc.govt.nz
What should I do if my bin is stickered as too heavy?
You can take out any extra recycling or rubbish and drop it off at the Resource Recovery Park on Racecourse Road. You could also remove some of the bin contents, store it, and wait until your bin is next emptied to put it back in.
The following weight limits apply:
Blue glass crate should be no heavier than 12kg
Green organics bin should be no heavier than 40kg
Yellow recycling bin should be no heavier than 40kg
Red rubbish bin should be no heavier than 20kg
Who does this service apply to?
What can I put in my red rubbish bin?
- General household waste
- Lids and caps
- Disposable nappies
- Sanitary items
- Food wrappers
- Polystyrene and styrofoam
- Soft plastic, wrappers and bags
- Approved biodegradable bags (available from Timaru District Council only)
- Brightly coloured, shredded paper
- Plastic strapping, tie and tubing
- Green waste (flax, palm, rhubarb leaves. etc)
- Broken glass
- Ash (once cooled)
What can I put in my blue crate?
- Glass bottles (all colours)
Rinsed with lids and caps off - Glass jars (all colours)
Rinsed with lids and caps off
What can I put in my yellow recycling bin?
- Paper
- Cardboard
- Plastic containers (1, 2 & 5)
- Clean tins
- Cans (excluding aerosol cans)
- Toilet roll tubes (cardboard inners)
What can I put in my green organics bin?
- Food waste
- Garden waste
- Cut flowers
- Fruit scraps, skins and cores
- Meat and fish bones
What type of plastics can I put in my yellow recycling bin?
All plastics are not the same. The type of material used in making a plastic product is indicated by the number stamped in the recycling sign on the plastic product. This number ranges from 1 to 7 and is known as Resin Identification Code (RIC). Because of global market demand, our recycling partners can currently only accept plastics stamped with code number 1 (Polyethylene Terephthalate which is generally known as PETE), code number 2 (High-Density Polyethylene which is also known as HDPE), and code number 5 (Polypropylene or PP). If the item is a plastic bottle, the cap needs be removed and bottle rinsed clean.
All other plastics without a recycling sign on them or recycling sign with other codes should be placed in the red lid bin.
Why is it necessary to remove the caps of plastic bottles before placing them in the yellow bin?
There are various reasons why we are required to remove the caps of plastic bottles. Some of the caps are made of plastic materials we do not currently recycle or a mix of plastic and non-plastic materials. Removing the caps ensures that the bottles are empty and helps during bailing to ensure that the bottles are compressed nicely
How do I know my collection days, and the bins to put out?
What happens if my collection is on a public holiday?
Bins are normally collected as usual on public holidays. Check the Waimate Trader, the Council Facebook page, or phone the Council on (03) 689 0000 to find out any changes to your collection day.
How much does my weekly collection cost?
The cost appears on your rates as a Waste – Multi Bin System charge. This may change year to year. Refer to the Rates page on the Waimate District Council website for current charges or phone 03 689 0000 for further information.
How do I get an extra bin if I need one?
Log a request through the Waimate Bins App, phone our customer services team on (03) 689 0000 or email council@waimatedc.govt.nz
Are there any other options apart from the standard size bins? And how do I change?
Yes, there are options available. Additional bins or different sized bins are available upon request. Charges will apply. Log a request through the Waimate Bins App, phone our customer services team on (03) 689 0000 or email council@waimatedc.govt.nz
What happens if I move house?
The bins belong to the property and will need to be left behind. If your new property does not have wheelie bins, phone 03 689 0000.
What if someone steals my bin or it is lost or damaged?
Log a request through the Waimate Bins App, phone our customer services team on (03) 689 0000 or email council@waimatedc.govt.nz
What if I struggle with moving my bin to the kerbside (e.g mobility issues)?
If you require assistance getting your bins to the kerb, you can apply for a service to pick up your bins directly from your property (fee may apply). Phone the Council on 03 689 0000 to ask about our Assisted Service.
What should I do if I don't live in a kerbside collection zone?
Contact the Council on 03 689 0000 to see if the collection route is near your property. You may be able to take bins to a collection point nearby. Alternatively you can take your recycling to a Rural Recycling Depot and your rubbish to the Resource Recovery Park.
How can I keep my wheelie bins clean?
Your yellow recycling bin should not get too dirty as the recycling going into it must be clean.
Bins can be rinsed clean and stored upside down on your lawn to drain and dry.
