People living in in Zone one including Westport, Reefton, and surrounding areas, will continue to dispose of their rubbish using pre-paid rubbish bags until mid-2027.
Buller District Council intended to change the way rubbish is managed in Refuse Zone one by 1 July 2026, replacing rubbish bags with wheelie bins, paid for through a targeted rate.
This change will align with the start of Zone one's new 10-year waste management contract. The contract includes running waste and recycling services and facilities in Zone one, collecting kerbside rubbish and recycling, operating the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations, and emptying public litter bins in urban areas.
Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “In August 2025, after deciding on a council-provided wheelie bin collection service paid through a targeted rate, we went back to waste management suppliers through a selective tender process.”
“After reviewing the proposals, we established that we needed to understand in more depth how the community would take up the proposed refuse wheelie bin service.”
In April 2025, councillors decided to introduce refuse wheelie bins in Zone one, to be paid for through a targeted rate. Property owners would have the choice between an 80 L,120 L, or 240 L wheelie bin. Alternatively, property owners could opt out of kerbside rubbish collection altogether.
Mr Blom explains: “The option to opt out, and the different bin sizes at different price points give people the ability to tailor the service to their needs. However, it adds complexity to estimating how much income the new system will generate.”
Knowing the total amount of rubbish to be collected through the service is vital for approximating the targeted rate for each bin size that is charged to each user.”
Mr Blom outlines: “To further our contract clarification, we need more details and have therefore decided to delay the implementation of wheelie bins by 12 months. This will give us enough time to negotiate firm contract terms and will allow sufficient lead time to roll out the wheelie bins.”
Council is in discussion with the current waste management contract holder, Smart Environmental Ltd, to extend the existing contract by 12 months.
The Buller District is divided into three zones for recycling and refuse. Zone one covers Westport, the areas from Westport to the Mōkihinui Bridge, from Westport to Punakaiki, from Westport to Reefton (including Blacks Point), and from Reefton to Ikamatua.
Zone two covers the Karamea area north of the Mokihinui Bridge and Zone three is beyond Blacks Point, including Springs Junction and Maruia. These areas are not affected by the change, as they have no kerbside collection.
Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at the time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact the accuracy of the information.
Buller District Council has released its updated waste services contract Request for Proposal to the market via selective tendering, where only existing tenderers are invited to resubmit. Applications are open for the next five weeks, until Thursday, 18 September. The contract, effective for 2026-2036, has an updated scope of services.
Read more in our Media Release.
Council has reconsidered the course for the future of rubbish collection in Buller’s largest refuse and recycling zone. Council has decided to move to a rubbish collection service paid through a targeted rate in Zone 1, rather than the previously proposed pay-as-you-throw model.
Read our Media Release.
Council has re-extended the waste management contract with Smart Environmental for one year, until 30 June 2026. Smart Environmental Ltd (SEL) has delivered rubbish and recycling management in Buller’s waste management Zone one since 2014, with the current contract due to end on 30 June 2025.
Read more in our Media Release.
At yesterday's council meeting, Buller District Council decided how rubbish will be collected and paid for in Zone One from 1 July 2025 onwards.
Read more in our Media Release.
The results of the recent Zone One rubbish collection consultation have been published ahead of the hearings and deliberations next week.
Read more in our Media Release.
Council will reconsult with the Buller community on the proposed changes to rubbish collection services. Residents can submit their feedback, via online and paper forms from April 12 to May 13, 2024.
Read more in our Media Release.
Further consultation could be on the way to help set the direction for any changes to the rubbish collection service for Zone 1 households. Buller District councillors will consider next steps at their final meeting for the year on 13 December.
Read more in our Media Release.
Proposed changes to the household collection services for recycling and waste management zone one will be open for feedback from today - Monday, 7 August.
At the 31 July Council meeting, Buller District councillors voted to proceed with consultation on proposed changes to the household collection services for recycling and waste management zone one.
Read more in our Media Release.
A collaborative approach to managing solid waste in the West Coast will be considered by council next week.
A staff report, to be tabled at Monday’s meeting (31 July), recommends changes to the Waste Management System in Buller from February 2025 onward. Some elements of the proposed changes will require consultation with the local community
Read more in our Media Release.
Council decides on the future of how rubbish is collected and funded in Zone 1. Starts at 40 minutes.