Bags for lakeside residents

Bags are used in some areas because the terrain makes it difficult for Council's waste contractors Smart Environmental to service the area using wheelie bins. This includes areas with narrow or steep roads.

Residents in some lakeside areas are entitled to 52 plastic council rubbish bags each rating year (1 July to 30 June).

Your kerbside collection day

Please put your rubbish out by 7.30 am on collection day, Monday.

Good Friday and Christmas day are the only public holidays that can change the day of your kerbside collection. Find out more about this here.

Placement for collection

• Make sure that your bags are firmly tied and wherever possible, place them away from other objects on the verge of the kerbside, away from cars, and not on the road
• If the roadside is not suitable, call Council to get advice on the best place to leave your bag for collection

What can you put in the bags?

• Your red bag is for general household rubbish that can't be recycled

Here's what can't go into your rubbish bag:

Where do I collect more bags from?

A new letter will be sent to your property each year. The letter is valid for one year only and should be redeemed by 30 June. If you misplace your letter, bring along proof of address with photo ID to the Recycling Centre on Te Ngae Road (during operating hours), and you'll be able to collect your bags. Please take this letter to any of the following locations:

• The Recycling Centre - 24 Te Ngae Road (Mon-Sat:7.30am - 4.30pm, Sun: 9.30am - 4.30pm)
• Okere Falls Transfer Station - 15 Okere Road (Thurs-Sun: 8.30am - 12pm)
• Tarawera Transfer Station - 1113 Tarawera Road (Thurs & Sun: 1pm - 4.30pm)
• Mamaku Transfer station - 14 Kaponga Street (Wed & Sat: 8.30 - 11.30am)
• Reporoa Transfer Station - Corner Birch and Massey Roads (Wed & Sat: 1 - 4.30pm)

Where can I buy more Council rubbish bags?

Additional bags can be purchased individually for $1.70 or in a bundle of 10 for $17.00. You can buy them from these places:

• Recycling Centre (24 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua)
• Landing Cafe, Tarawera (RD5 Lake Tarawera Road)
• Rotomā Roadhouse Store (178 State Highway 30, Rotomā)
• Ōkere Falls Transfer Station (during opening hours)
• Tarawera Transfer Station (during opening hours

Who uses plastic rubbish bags?

Residents in some lakeside areas are entitled to 52 plastic council rubbish bags each rating year (1 July to 30 June).

Bags are used in some areas because the terrain makes it difficult for Council's waste contractors Smart Environmental to service the area using wheelie bins. This includes areas with narrow or steep roads.

Can I switch between bags and bins?

• If you live in the lakeside area, you can switch from bags to bins.
• We encourage the switch to bins as they are more environmentally friendly and are safer for our collections staff.
• Please make your choice carefully as residents who switch to bins cannot return to a bag service.
• If you decide to switch to bins please give us a call on 07 348 4199

Stop and Collect

The 'Stop and Collect' service was an option allowing residents to collect their paper rubbish bags from the council rather than having them delivered to residents' homes.

This service is no longer be offered by the council.

Tips to reduce your waste

Choose products with little or no packaging

Give unwanted clothes to opportunity shops or use clothing bins

Start a compost heap or worm farm, then use the compost/vermicast in your garden

To reduce food waste, use your leftovers up, plan your weekly meals and buy only what you need

Freezing food can significantly reduce food waste