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Rubbish and recycling

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Inorganic collections

Every two years, Auckland City Council provides inorganic collections for residential properties across the isthmus and Hauraki Gulf islands.

The collections for each area were completed on the following dates:

  • Auckland isthmus ( late June 2011)
  • Rakino Island ( April 2011)
  • Waiheke Island ( October 2010)
  • Great Barrier Island (late 2010).

Please note: any changes to timing will be notified well in advance of collections occurring.

Guide to

Options for disposal

Types of rubbish Options for disposal
  • general inorganic materials ie
    • bulky items that can't be placed in normal wheelie bin collections
  • garden rubbish ie grass, garden, tree and hedge trimmings
  • electronic waste ie televisions, computers
  • recyclable materials ie paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, tin, steel and aluminium cans, plastic containers marked with any of the recycling symbols 1 to 7
  • building or trade waste ie concrete, bricks, rocks, stone, wood, glass and any building or demolition materials
  • car parts ie engines, car bodies
  • look in the yellow pages for a commercial disposal company
  • paint and paint tins ie non-toxic
  • can be taken all year round for reuse or recycling to Resene Colorshops stores. Conditions apply - see their website for more information
  • hazardous materials:
ie gas cylinders, solvents, batteries, oil, petrol, paint (toxic and anti fouling only), household and garden chemicals
ie asbestos, medical waste and hazardous commercial waste


How to avoid a $400 fine

Note: if you put inorganic rubbish out when you don't have a specified collection for your area it is classed as illegal dumping and could attract a fine of up to $400.

Inorganic refuse placed on the kerbside will be owned by the person putting the refuse out for disposal. Council will take ownership of the refuse at the point of pick up. The bylaw places responsibility on residents for:

  • the tidiness of their inorganic material until it is collected and
  • the removal of any uncollected material following the collection

Auckland City Council Bylaw Part 22 - Solid Waste (2006) (Part 22.4: Special collection of waste)


Why we don't offer collections in the CBD or to businesses

  • the service is only offered to residential areas whereby the majority of the CBD is a business/commercial area
  • the residential properties within the CBD are mainly apartment buildings. It is not practical for material to be placed on the pavement where there is limited space. Additionally with the high pedestrian volumes this would impose health and safety issues for both the general public and contractors operating the service
  • the exclusion of the service to the CBD is consistent with current council policy.

Updated October 2010