7 January 2025

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Organic waste collection coming in 2026

Enquiry

I had a couple of questions regarding the fogo news [Contract awarded for organic waste collection service - Rotorua Lakes Council] if someone could please help. I'll possibly have some comment for response later too which I'll send as soon as I have it.

• What was the reason behind the 80l bin decision? Other councils like in Auckland and Tga use the little green ones.
• Does the council have an image of these 80l bins?
• What kinds of things were considered when making the bin decision? I.e. space taken up with two bins already and the crate, capacity, weather tolerance etc
• What is the red and yellow bin capacity?
• How was it determined what communities would have this changed service?
• The gross annual operating costs of the new service of $2.45m will be offset by reduced landfill costs of about $1.6m (based on 6000 tonnes of waste being diverted from the landfill), resulting in a net additional increase to the targeted rate of $24.71 per annum.

In 2023 the expected cost to ratepayers was between $46 and $58 a year - what changed from when councillors made the decision to now?

Response

We provided the following information:

What was the reason behind the 80l bin decision? Other councils like in Auckland and Tga use the little green ones.

The 80 litre bins will take both green and food waste.

Other councils may have either just a food waste bin or have 2 bins, separating garden and food waste. Please check with them. This info should be readily available on their websites.

Does the council have an image of these 80l bins?

Not at this time. Bins have yet to be purchased. The service will come into effect in July 2026 and there will be an education/awareness period before this when all details will be communicated to the community, including what the bins will look like.

What kinds of things were considered when making the bin decision? I.e. space taken up with two bins already and the crate, capacity, weather tolerance etc

Yes, some extra space will be needed to store the new bins on properties but these will not take up much space and as council does currently, we would continue to have a flexible approach with residents who, for instance, live in multi-unit dwellings.

There won’t be more bins out than now on collection days as a result of the new service. Organic waste will be collected weekly and collection of general rubbish (red bins) will move to fortnightly. Currently organic waste makes up more than 60% of Rotorua’s household waste so much of that will go into the organic waste bins when the new service starts.

Red bin collections will alternate with recycling collections so on recycling days there will be up to 3 bins out per property, as is the case now (yellow bin + glass bin + FOGO), and days FOGO gets collected there will be 2 (red bin + FOGO bin).

Total capacity will actually increase to 150 litres per week for the same waste stream as now. The current level of service for general waste (the red bin) is based on 140 litre bin weekly. Splitting that fortnightly reduces it to 70 litre weekly for rubbish but with 80 litre weekly for organic waste that’s 150 litres per week.

What is the red and yellow bin capacity?

Red bin 140 litres

Yellow bin 240 litres

People can get bigger or extra bins if they wish/need. This is managed by our waste contractor Smart environment and there is a cost but the cost is not included in council’s waste rate – see here on RLC website: Rubbish Collection Services - Rotorua Lakes Council

How was it determined what communities would have this changed service?

Council approved progressing with the introduction of a food organic and green organic waste collection service (FOGO) in July 2024 with a start date of 1 July 2026.

Council had previously signalled its intention to introduce kerbside organic waste collection in the Long-term Plan 2021-2024, and Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2022-2028, both of which were consulted on.

Community consultation specifically about the proposed introduction of organic waste collection was undertaken in 2022 with 89% of respondents supporting an organics/green diversion option.

There were several reasons to consider diversion of organic waste from landfill, including waste minimisation, climate change mitigation and compliance with central government regulations that were pending at the time. Audits of Rotorua’s red bins showed non-recyclable waste made up about 30% of household waste; recyclables (e.g., glass, plastics) that could go in the recycling (yellow) bins made up about 10%; and organic waste (including food waste, garden waste, paper) more than 60%. It was considered that diverting organic waste therefore presented a good opportunity to reduce the amount of Rotorua waste going to landfill.

Factors taken into consideration in determining the service area included travel distances and the need to have sufficient collection points to ensure the service would be economically and environmentally viable.

The gross annual operating costs of the new service of $2.45m will be offset by reduced landfill costs of about $1.6m (based on 6000 tonnes of waste being diverted from the landfill), resulting in a net additional increase to the targeted rate of $24.71 per annum.

In 2023 the expected cost to ratepayers was between $46 and $58 a year - what changed from when councillors made the decision to now?

The original figures were an estimate only and the actual cost was confirmed through the procurement process.