RUBBISH AND RECYCLING COLLECTIONS UPDATE

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

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

The rubbish bag colour for Council's kerbside collection service will be changing from yellow to red for collections from 1 July. The red bags align with the nationally recognised colour for general rubbish. Red bags are available from Ōtorohanga District Council reception. They will be available from Wednesday 1 July at the Kāwhia and Ōtorohanga Waste Transfer Stations. The red bags will become available at local supermarkets. Stores may choose to continue to sell yellow bags, as well as red bags.

The yellow bags were part of Council's previous kerbside collection service. Enviro NZ (previously known as EnviroWaste), the former contractor, has advised it will continue collecting yellow bags as part of its own private waste collection service. This private service operates independently of Council and is not part of Council's contract with Evolve Ventures Limited, which applies to the new red Council rubbish bags only.

Our new contractor, Evolve Ventures Limited, will deliver an extra recycling crate from late-June/early-July 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.  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

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

Click here for more information: Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections, recycling centres/waste transfer stations, and rural recycling sites

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 29 June for Kāwhia and Aotea. After that, red rubbish bags will be collected from the next scheduled collection day.
• For anyone who has yellow bags left after 1 July, please contact Enviro NZ via their website at www.environz.co.nz or call them on 0800 240 120.
• Yellow rubbish bags can continue to be dropped off at the Ōtorohanga and Kāwhia Waste Transfer Stations until 18 July. 

 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.