Kerbside Collections, Recycling Centres & Rural Recycling Sites

Kohinga Taparori me Ngā Pokapū Para

RUBBISH AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

Where?

A weekly kerbside collection service is provided for rubbish in official bags and recyclable materials in official crates in Ōtorohanga, Kāwhia and Aotea. From 1 July 2026, there will be some changes in our rubbish and recycling services. We have a new contractor Evolve Ventures Limited. The changes are part of improving how we collect, sort and recycle waste across the district.

Key changes:

• Rubbish bags will change from yellow to red for collections from 1 July 2026. We'll let you know when the red bags are available to buy in shops. 
• Evolve Ventures Limited will deliver an extra recycling crate from mid-June 2026 to help with your recycling. The new blue crate is for glass. Continue using your green crate for paper, cardboard, tins, cans and plastics #1, #2 and #5. 
• We have helpful videos on our website about how to recycle right to ensure your recycling can be picked up. Visit www.otodc.govt.nz/recycle-right

Where? (Collection days)

Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections:

Until 1 July 2026

• Ōtorohanga: Wednesdays
• Kāwhia and Aotea: Mondays

From 1 July 2026 

There are some changes to kerbside rubbish and recycling days from 1 July 2026: 

• Ōtorohanga: Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on location. Please click this Ōtorohanga Kerbside Collections Days Map for your collection day.
• Kāwhia and Aotea: Mondays (except for public holidays when your collection day will be Wednesday). 

What?

Rubbish in official bags only (can be purchased from local stores). From 1 July 2026, the bags will change in colour from yellow to red. The red bags will be available from local stores closer to the time. 

• Rubbish should be placed on the kerbside by 7.00am on collection day
• Rubbish bags have a 15kg maximum weight limit

Recyclables placed in official plastic recycling crates:

• Recyclables should be placed in official plastic recycling crates on the kerbside by 7.00am on collection day

Recyclables accepted:

• Aluminium and steel cans (washed and lids removed)
• Glass bottles and jars (washed and lids removed)
• Paper and cardboard (no food residues)
• Plastics 1, 2 & 5 (washed with lids, triggers, pumps etc removed)

Where?

There are two attended Recycling Centres/Transfer Stations in the District:

• Ōtorohanga – 40 Progress Drive, Ōtorohanga, 3900
• Kāwhia – Lake Road, Kāwhia, 3889

Hours: 

Please see hours below

Important note:

• Council’s new rubbish and recycling contractor Evolve Ventures Limited takes over managing the Ōtorohanga  and Kāwhia Transfer Stations from 1 July 2026. 
• The Ōtorohanga Transfer Station will be closed on 29 and 30 June, to enable the handover from current operator Enviro NZ to Evolve.  Reopens 1 July.
• The Kāwhia Waste Transfer Station handover happens on 30 June (a Tuesday, when the transfer station is already closed). Reopens 1 July.
• The closures are to enable Enviro NZ to safely remove their equipment from the site.  

	Ōtorohanga	Kāwhia
Monday	10am - 4pm (except 29 June 2026)	Closed
Tuesday	10am - 4pm (except 30 June 2026)	Closed
Wednesday	10am - 4pm	12pm - 3pm
Thursday	Closed	Closed
Friday	10am - 4pm	Closed
Saturday	10am - 4pm	12pm - 3pm
Sunday	10am - 4pm	12pm - 3pm
Christmas Day, Good Friday, ANZAC Day	Closed	Closed

What?

• Recyclables: paper, cardboard, glass bottles and jars, aluminium cans and tins and plastics 1,2 & 5 (clean and lids removed) FREE
• Refuse in official refuse bags FREE
• Green plant waste (excluding noxious weeks and unmanageable material such as flax) CHARGED

Important Info:

• Any changes to standard opening times will be published on our website, social media and the Antenno app
• Fees and charges for other recyclable items can be found here
• Any questions contact Council or Envirowaste 0800 240 120

Other refuse and waste management services

• A landfill in Te Kuiti is available for larger quantities of refuse.
• Local contractors also provide private refuse and recycling services.
• If you must dispose of a large quantity of refuse, these services are likely to be more cost-effective than the services provided by Council.

Where?

There are four Rural Recycling Sites provided collaboratively by the schools’ and Ōtorohanga District Council for the benefit of their surrounding communities

• Arohena School, 40 Pukewhau Road, Wharepapa South 3880
• Korakonui School, 734 Wharepuhunga Road, Waikeria 3873
• Maihiihi School, 775 Maihiihi Road, Otorohanga 3972
• Ngutunui Enviro School, 400 Ngutunui Road, Puketotara 3876

When?

These sites are open 24/7 however please respect these sites and their adjacent properties by using during daytime hours

What?

• Aluminium and steel cans (washed and lids removed) FREE
• Glass bottles and jars (washed and lids removed) FREE
• Paper and cardboard (no food residues) FREE
• Plastics 1, 2 & 5 (washed and lids removed) FREE
• NO REFUSE

Important Info:

• Any questions contact Council
• They rely on community support for their care and management
• Refuse can be taken to the Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Recycling Centres where official bags can be deposited for FREE and unofficial bags deposited on a CHARGED basis
• Private contractors also provide waste management services in the District