Red bags

  • Are Council's official rubbish bags.
  • Are collected by Evolve Ventures Limited as part of Council's kerbside collection service.

Yellow bags

  • Are part of Enviro NZ's private rubbish collection service.
  • Are not Council bags.
  • Any questions about yellow bags should be directed to Enviro NZ on 0800 240 120.

Council has changed to red rubbish bags to align with the nationally recognised colour for general rubbish

From 1 July 2026, Council has a new kerbside rubbish and recycling contractor, Evolve Ventures Limited. The changes are part of improving how rubbish and recycling is collected, sorted and recycled across the district.

The new contract supports the district’s sustainability goals, is designed to reduce landfill waste, and enables Council to maintain cost-effective waste services.

Council advertised the changes to our rubbish and recycling services in the King Country News, on our website and social media.  We appreciate not everyone has access to the methods of communication we use, so we really appreciate it when people let family and friends know in such cases. If you have any questions, please contact Council, we're here to help.

Council's kerbside rubbish collection is funded through a user pays system rather than general rates.

This means the cost of the service is paid by the people who use it, rather than being shared across all ratepayers regardless of how much rubbish they produce. It helps ensure households that generate less waste are not subsidising heavier users of the service.

The system also encourages waste minimisation and recycling, helping reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.

Council continues to fund a range of waste services through rates, including recycling facilities, Waste Transfer Stations, rural recycling sites and community waste minimisation initiatives.

Using a user pays model supports Council's goal of reducing waste to landfill while providing a fair and sustainable rubbish collection service for the district.

Council red rubbish bags are currently available from:

  • Ōtorohanga District Council reception
  • Ōtorohanga Waste Transfer Station
  • Kāwhia Waste Transfer Station
  • Ōtorohanga Library

We expect they will also become available from local supermarkets. We'll let the community know on our website and Facebook when stock arrives.

Council does not control when retailers receive or sell stock. We will update the community as soon as red bags become available in local stores.

Yellow bags are not Council rubbish bags.

They are now collected by Enviro NZ as part of its private rubbish collection service, which operates separately from Council.

If you have yellow bags to use, or have questions about yellow bag collections, please contact Enviro NZ directly on 0800 240 120.

Council's contractor, Evolve Ventures Limited, collects Council red rubbish bags only.

Please contact Enviro NZ directly on 0800 240 120.

Council is unable to assist with private yellow bag collections.

Yes.

Retailers may choose to continue selling yellow bags instead of, or alongside, Council's red bags.

Council does not control what products retailers choose to stock.

If you want to use Council's kerbside rubbish collection service, purchase Council red rubbish bags.

If you choose to use the private Enviro NZ service, you can continue using yellow bags.

For many residents in Ōtorohanga, yes.

Council collections are now either Wednesday or Thursday, depending on where you live.

Check your address using the map on our website at otodc.govt.nz/otorohanga-kerbside-collections-map

For Kāwhia and Aotea, collections remain Monday, except public holiday weeks when collection moves to Wednesday. The Kāwhia Waste Transfer Station will be open on public holiday Mondays.

Please place your rubbish bags and recycling crates on the kerbside before 7.00am on your collection day.

Council rubbish bags have a maximum weight of 15kg.

The new blue recycling crate is for glass bottles and jars only.

Your green crate is for:

  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Aluminium cans
  • Steel cans
  • Plastics numbered 1, 2 and 5

Please ensure items are clean and free from food contamination. Also remove lids, pumps and triggers where possible.

Evolve Ventures Limited is delivering the new blue crates across the district.

If you have not yet received yours, please contact Council so we can assist.

The recycling rules remain largely the same.

The main change is that glass now goes into the new blue crate, making recycling easier and improving sorting.

Visit: www.otodc.govt.nz/recycle-right

You'll also find short videos explaining how to recycle correctly.

Yes.

Paper and cardboard placed in the correct recycling crate are sent for recycling, provided they are clean and free from food contamination.

The following recycling facilities are being upgraded:

  • Arohena School
  • Korakonui School
  • Maihiihi School
  • Ngutunui School

They are temporarily closed from 1–17 July.

You can continue to recycle free of charge at the Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Waste Transfer Stations during this period.

Yes.

From 1 July, Evolve Ventures Limited operates both Council Waste Transfer Stations.

The Kāwhia Waste Transfer Station will now be open on public holiday Mondays.

Yes. The price of Council's red rubbish bags has increased to support the enhanced kerbside collection service being delivered from 1 July 2026 – fees and charges. 

The new service includes an additional recycling crate for glass, improvements to recycling and waste collection, and a new contractor delivering Council's kerbside rubbish and recycling service.

Council sets the recommended retail price for its red rubbish bags, however individual retailers determine their own selling price, and Council cannot control retail pricing.

Please contact Council so we can work with Evolve Ventures Limited to resolve the issue.

Please contact Enviro NZ on 0800 240 120.

Council cannot assist with private yellow bag collections.

For questions about:

  • Council red rubbish bags
  • Recycling
  • Collection days
  • Blue recycling crates
  • Waste Transfer Stations

Please contact Ōtorohanga District Council.

For questions about yellow bags or Enviro NZ's private collection service, please contact Enviro NZ on 0800 240 120.