From nappies to mattress foam, spray paint cans, tarpaulins, garden hoses and bags of general rubbish, Whakatāne District Council continues to find all sorts of things in kerbside greenwaste bins that simply don’t belong.
When non-greenwaste items end up in our greenwaste system, the material can’t be made into compost. Earlier this year, 745 tonnes of greenwaste had to be sent to landfill because it was too contaminated, costing ratepayers around $143,000 in disposal fees.
To help residents get it right, the Council is launching an education campaign about what can and can't go in greenwaste bins. Guides are available on the Council website, at Customer Services, on social media, and new signage will be placed around the district.
“We understand there’s been some confusion in the past, which is why we’re committed to helping people learn and get it right,” says Solid Waste Manager Nigel Clarke.
Last month, the Council also introduced a Three Strikes System to tackle contamination in both greenwaste and recycling bins. Households that repeatedly contaminate their bins will receive two warnings, with the bin removed for three months on the third offence. Already, 171 greenwaste bins have been issued a first strike, with nine of those households receiving a second strike.
“We’re focused on educating our communities, but there also needs to be clear consequences for those who deliberately abuse the service,” Mr Clarke adds.
“By keeping only garden waste in greenwaste bins, we can all help reduce landfill, save ratepayer money, and turn our district's green waste into valuable compost.”
For more information, visit the greenwaste page on the Council website, stop by Customer Services, or follow the Council’s social media.