New wheelie rubbish bins rolling out

Most South Aucklanders are getting the hang of a major change to rubbish disposal methods.

Auckland Council waste planning manager Parul Sood estimates about 10 per cent of households in the former Manukau City Council area put rubbish bags out for collection after the new wheelie rubbish bins came into force on September 4.

‘‘We were quite impressed that people understand what we are trying to do. We stickered the bags that were put out [after September 4] so people are aware they need to put them in the bin.’’

All South Auckland households should have received a redlidded 120 litre wheelie rubbish bin, which replaces the weekly black rubbish bag collection.

There’s no charge for the bin, but people who think it will be too small for their needs can get a larger 240 litre bin for $55 a year. Sood says the council has communicated the change to as many people as possible.

‘‘We have already sent letters to ratepayers, but not everyone is a ratepayer, so we also did a flyer to households in different languages.’’

One Ma¯ngere resident, who wants to be identified only as Heather, says she was surprised when her rubbish bag wasn’t collected on September 4. She says she put it out the night before but it wasn’t taken away the next day.

‘‘I read the notice from the council but was a bit confused if we were the last day of bag collection or the first day of bin collection and it just wasn’t picked up.’’

Heather says her household received a flyer from the council publicising the new rubbish bins.

‘‘They probably did communicate the change effectively and we probably didn’t read it closely enough.

‘‘I thought it would be nice if they allowed a week to transition [to bins]. They could have included the message that they won’t pick up the bags [after September 4].’’

One of the flyers sent to South Auckland households states: ‘‘From Monday 4th September we’ll be starting bin collections. Auckland Council will no longer collect rubbish bags after Friday 1st September.

‘‘To make sure your rubbish is picked up, put it in your bin and place the bin on your kerb by 7am on your usual collection day.’’

* Phone 301 0101 or 0800 4684 3246 to report illegal rubbish dumping or get advice on how to reduce your family’s household waste.