Rubbish and recycling collection is changing across the country. What does it mean for Stratford district?

The government is standardising kerbside recycling across Aotearoa, New Zealand. On 1 February 2024, from Kaitaia to Bluff and everywhere in between, the same items will be accepted in recycling bins.

The changes should make it easier for people to know what can and can’t be recycled, divert waste from landfill, cut down on recycling contamination, and make it easier to collect and report waste data.

So, what will change for Stratford district?

Stratford district residents will not notice much of a difference in their recycling dos and don’ts. The main change will be that aerosol cans will need to go into the red-lid bin for general waste as they’ll no longer be recyclable.

From 1 February, the only materials accepted in kerbside recycling bins will be:

• Plastic bottles with lids removed, and containers and trays larger than 10cm x 10cm. All plastic must be numbered 1, 2 or 5 and rinsed clean.

• Food and drink tins and cans (rinsed and with lids inside the can)

• Paper and cardboard, including pizza boxes with food scraps removed

Clean glass jars and bottles without lids will continue to be the only glass recycling accepted.

SDC Sustainability Advisor Vicky Dombroski says while it’ll be business as usual for many, the focus on recycling gives people a great opportunity to take another look at what they’re putting in their bins. “Did you know batteries can’t go in any council rubbish or recycling bin? Drop them off at the Transfer Station or a local organisation with a battery recycling service,” says Vicky. “Make sure you put all your small container lids in your rubbish bin as they can’t go through our sorting machine for recycling, or better yet, be creative and repurpose them. And give all your plastic and glass recycling a good wash.”

Stratford district punches above its weight when it comes to recycling.

During 2022 to 2023, out of the total tonnage of waste collected from the Transfer Station and local kerbsides, 37% was recycling, which is the highest in the Taranaki region.

Once collected and sorted at the Materials Recovery Facility in New Plymouth, the district’s recycling is sent around the North Island and turned into new products. No recycling materials are sent overseas.

Visit Stratford.govt.nz/Recycling for more information on Stratford district’s kerbside collection services.