Kerbside Collections, Recycling Centres & Rural Recycling

Below you will find key information about our rubbish and recycling services in Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia. IMPORTANT NOTE: There are some changes to our rubbish and recycling service from 1 July 2026, as we have a new contractor, Evolve Ventures. Rubbish bags will change from yellow to red. We'll let you know here on our website and on Facebook when these are available in local shops. If you have leftover yellow rubbish bags after 1 July, please contact Enviro NZ via their website at www.environz.co.nz or call them on 0800 240 120. Kāwhia and Aotea’s collection day will remain on Monday, except for public holidays when it will be on Wednesday. The Kāwhia Waste Transfer Station will be open on public holiday Mondays. There will be a different collection day for some in Ōtorohanga - either Wednesday or Thursday (depending on location). Click the plus sign next to Kerbside Collections below to find out more, including to see your collection day on the Ōtorohanga Kerbside Collections Day Map. Click the plus sign next to Recycling Centres/Waste Transfer Stations to see their locations and opening hours. There is also handy info on what items can and can't be recycled. It's important to get this right so your recycling can be collected. Check out our helpful videos on how to recycle at otodc.govt.nz/recycle-right. There are items you might think can be recycled that can't such as takeout coffee cups, even if they have written on them that they can. Click the plus next to Rural Recycling Sites below to see where you can take your recylcing in rural areas..

RUBBISH AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS

Changes from 1 July 2026

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 (yellow rubbish bags):

  • Ōtorohanga: Wednesdays (yellow rubbish bags until 24 June). 
  • Kāwhia and Aotea: Mondays (yellow rubbish bags until 29 June)

See below for collections for the following week: 

From 1 July 2026 (red rubbish bags):

From 1 July 2026, the council rubbish collection will have red rubbish bags. We'll let you know here on our website and on Facebook when they are available in local stores. 

  • Ōtorohanga: Wednesdays or Thursdays, depending on location. Please click this Ōtorohanga Kerbside Collections Days Map for your collection day. 

    The first collection with red rubbish bags in Ōtorohanga will be Wed 1 July and Thurs 2 July.

  • Kāwhia and Aotea: Mondays (except for public holidays when your collection day will be Wednesday). 

        The first collection with red rubbish bags in Kāwhia and Aotea will be Mon 6 July.

What?

  • 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 / WasteTransfer 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

Locations of Recycling Centres & Rural Recycling