Council is reviewing its Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw, following Government changes to standardise recycling around the country and introduce food waste collections.

Group Manager Infrastructure Neil McCann said the bylaw was last reviewed in 2018 so it was due for updating, especially after new national rules for kerbside recycling came into force in February this year.

“Councils that provide kerbside collection are now also required to offer a collection for kitchen food waste. This was a topic in our Long Term Plan consultation recently and the community overwhelmingly favoured us introducing a green bin service for both food and garden waste. Council will be starting this service from 1 September 2026 so the bylaw needs to at least reflect that.”

The draft Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw was released for consultation this week and feedback can be made until 29 September.

Mr McCann said there were three main changes proposed.

“The first would require public events on council-owned land to have a plan to help reduce waste. Our Glow in the Park event recently is a great example of this, where 93 per cent of waste generated was able to be diverted from landfill, either by recycling or composting.

“Obviously if it’s a small event, it could be as simple as using the public bins, but for larger events it could require having to separate rubbish, recycling and organics.

"This is something that Council has been doing itself for a number of years and it’s the right time to bring other event organisers along with us.”

The second proposed change would enable Council to require a waste management and minimisation plan on construction sites for all projects valued over $500,000.

“This might mean that builders do some basic sorting of waste onsite or contract a third-party waste provider to sort it, as there’s often materials or offcuts that can be repurposed.

“Obviously we want to be careful that it doesn’t place a burden on builders, so we need to make sure anything we introduce is practical and cost-effective. We’re looking forward to having the conversation with the construction industry and hearing what ideas they might have.”

The third proposed change would require businesses in the CBD to bring in their kerbside bins on collection day.

Mr McCann said most businesses were already pretty good at bringing their bins in after collection, but some were being left out more than 24 hours after collection.

“This is really about keeping our CBD tidy and easy to navigate, with footpaths that are clear.”

There are a few other minor proposed changes and people can make feedback and find the full consultation document and draft bylaw at itsourplace.nz