RUBBISH AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS UPDATE

Some changes are coming to kerbside rubbish and recycling collections in Ōtorohanga District from 1 July. These are part of improving how we collect, sort and recycle waste across the district. 

Our new contractor, Evolve Ventures Limited, will deliver an extra recycling crate from mid-June to help with your recycling. The new blue crate is for glass. You’ll continue to use your green crate for paper, cardboard, tins, cans and plastics #1, #2 and #5.  

The rubbish bag colour will be changing from yellow to red for collections from 1 July. We’ll let you know when the bags are available to buy from local shops. (They are not available yet). 

There will be new collection days for some in Ōtorohanga, depending on location (Wednesday or Thursday). See the Ōtorohanga Kerbside Collection Days Map to see your collection day. Kāwhia and Aotea’s collection day will remain on Monday, except for public holidays when it will be on Wednesday. 

You’ll receive a flyer the same day your new recycling crate is delivered with helpful tips to ensure your recycling can be collected. We also have helpful videos on our website: visit www.otodc.govt.nz/recycle-right

We’ll provide reminders leading up to 1 July.

If you have any questions, please phone 0800 734 000 or email [email protected]

Click for more information on kerbside rubbish and recycling collections

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

Question: What do I do if I have yellow rubbish bags left over after 1 July (when the Ōtorohanga District Council rubbish bags change to red)?

Answer:

• Yellow rubbish bags will be collected in the Ōtorohanga District under the council contract with Enviro NZ up to Wednesday 24 June for Ōtorohanga , and up to Monday 30 June for Kāwhia and Aotea.
• For anyone who has yellow bags left after 30 June, please contact Enviro NZ via their website at www.environz.co.nz or call them on 0800 240 120.
• Ōtorohanga District Council is also currently exploring whether yellow bags can continue to be dropped off at the Ōtorohanga  and Kāwhia Waste Transfer Stations for a short period of time after 1 July. We are working hard on this and aim to provide an update in the near future. 

 Question: What is happening with the Waste Transfer Stations?

• Council’s new rubbish and recycling contractor Evolve takes over managing the Ōtorohanga  and Kāwhia Waste 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. Reopening 1 July.
• The Kāwhia Waste Transfer Station handover happens on 30 June. Reopening 1 July.
• The closures are to enable Enviro NZ to safely remove their equipment from the site.