Food and green waste collection on the West Coast

Consultation has concluded


Central government announced in May 2023 that by 2030, all district and city councils must collect food waste (or combined food and green waste) for households in urban areas with a population of over 1,000.

This will apply to Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika, but Runanga and Carters Beach may also be included.

The three West Coast District Councils have joined forces with Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment to explore the topic and frame up options for how food and green waste collection and processing could work in urban centres from 2030 onwards.

West Coasters were encouraged to participate in the region-wide food and green waste survey in July 2024 to understand people's current attitudes and behaviours.

What did the community tell us?

We received 478 survey responses from people living across the three West Coast Districts. Two hundred sixty-six responses were from people living in the Grey District, 122 were from people living in Buller, 87 Westland residents responded, and three did not provide a location.

Key findings from the survey were:

  • Over 91% of respondents value sound waste management.
  • 43% manage food waste through home composting or worm farming, with 31% disposing of their food waste in general rubbish, and 18% feeding it to animals.
  • For green waste, home composting is the most common method (37%), followed by disposal in household rubbish (21%) and disposal at facilities (20%).
  • Over 66% would consider a council food waste collection service, and over 78% would consider a garden waste service.
  • 71% of the respondents would not be willing to pay for a food waste and green waste collection service
  • There is considerable support for community schemes that may offer more cost-effective solutions.

These insights will guide the West Coast Councils in determining the best approach for kerbside collection of food scraps and green waste, including feasibility studies for delivery options and the ideal bin sizes and collection frequencies.

The survey results are available in the Community Survey Report Organics waste management attitudes and behaviours.


Central government announced in May 2023 that by 2030, all district and city councils must collect food waste (or combined food and green waste) for households in urban areas with a population of over 1,000.

This will apply to Westport, Reefton, Greymouth, and Hokitika, but Runanga and Carters Beach may also be included.

The three West Coast District Councils have joined forces with Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment to explore the topic and frame up options for how food and green waste collection and processing could work in urban centres from 2030 onwards.

West Coasters were encouraged to participate in the region-wide food and green waste survey in July 2024 to understand people's current attitudes and behaviours.

What did the community tell us?

We received 478 survey responses from people living across the three West Coast Districts. Two hundred sixty-six responses were from people living in the Grey District, 122 were from people living in Buller, 87 Westland residents responded, and three did not provide a location.

Key findings from the survey were:

  • Over 91% of respondents value sound waste management.
  • 43% manage food waste through home composting or worm farming, with 31% disposing of their food waste in general rubbish, and 18% feeding it to animals.
  • For green waste, home composting is the most common method (37%), followed by disposal in household rubbish (21%) and disposal at facilities (20%).
  • Over 66% would consider a council food waste collection service, and over 78% would consider a garden waste service.
  • 71% of the respondents would not be willing to pay for a food waste and green waste collection service
  • There is considerable support for community schemes that may offer more cost-effective solutions.

These insights will guide the West Coast Councils in determining the best approach for kerbside collection of food scraps and green waste, including feasibility studies for delivery options and the ideal bin sizes and collection frequencies.

The survey results are available in the Community Survey Report Organics waste management attitudes and behaviours.

Consultation has concluded

  • Central government changes direction

    Central government decided this week that the policy that directs all councils to provide household food scraps service to all urban areas by 2030 will no longer be implemented.

    This is part of a shift in waste priorities from the previous government, with the current government deciding that only one of the previously five guiding policies will remain in force.

    Therefore only standardising materials for household recycling has come into effect and introducing a council household recycling service to all urban areas, introducing a council household food scraps service to all urban areas, data reporting for private household recycling providers, and a performance standard for household recycling and food scraps diversion, will no longer go ahead.

    This aims to reduce additional costs for councils and enable them to choose the timing of introducing new services with greater flexibility. Central government will continue to support councils in introducing recycling and food scraps collections through the Waste Minimisation Fund if they wish to introduce any new services.

    Although the project is not mandatory at present, Council will review the results of the feasibility report. The feasibility report will outline multiple options, which will be presented to elected members in July or August 2025. Once a decesion is made, Council will continue working on the project based on guidance from elected members.

  • Food and green waste collection survey results published

    Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils have published the results of the food and green waste collection survey carried out in July this year.

    Read more in our Media Release.

  • West Coast Councils seek Coasters’ feedback on food and green waste collection

    Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils want to hear from West Coasters about their current ways of dealing with food and green waste and their preferences for collecting it in urban centres.

    For more in our Media Release.

  • West Coast councils explore options for food and green waste collection

    Buller, Grey and Westland District Councils, Development West Coast and the Ministry for the Environment have joined forces to explore how food and green waste collection could look in urban centres on the coast from 2030 onwards.

    Read more in our Media Release.