FAQs

A kerbside rubbish collection service is currently offered via a private commercial operation managed and operated by Smart Environmental Ltd. 

The service is a Pay As You Throw model using either 60 litre official rubbish bags or a private wheelie bin service on a periodic basis. The official rubbish bags are currently sold for $9.10 incl. GST.  Bin costs vary depending on the bin size and collection frequency and the prices are set by Smart Environmental Ltd. This service is self-funding and not subsidised by Council.

A number of issues were identified and presented to Council in July 2023, which suggest it is timely to make a change to kerbside household collections: 

• The waste collection sector is moving away from bags to wheelie bins for health and safety reasons. Wheelie bins reduce the risk of infection from waste and manual handling injuries. 
• The Ministry for the Environment has announced the standardisation of household collection services focussed on recyclable materials and food waste. 
• There is ongoing illegal dumping across the district and providing a consistent service for all households is anticipated to reduce illegal dumping. 
• By controlling services, Council is able to invest on behalf of the community to capture more materials for recycling and recovery. 
• By providing a universal household collection service to the specified areas of the Buller District, Council is able to manage costs for each household.