Auckland Council is consulting on a proposal, as part of the Annual Budget, for a regionwide rates-funded waste collection service with a choice of three rubbish bin sizes and costs (80-litre, 120-litre, 240-litre). Bags would remain available for rural residents.
This is a change from the proposal to move the region into a pay as you throw collection model, currently active across the North Shore, West Auckland, Franklin and Papakura.
Aucklanders can have their say at akhaveyoursay before 28 March 2022.
Under the proposed change, everyone will be on the same pricing structure no matter where you live. The cost of providing kerbside collections on Waiheke Island is nearly double what people actually pay in their rates for the service, with the rest of the region subsidising waste services throughout the Hauraki Gulf.
“With everyone on the same service, the general operating costs per household for all kerbside services are lower, and these cost savings are passed on to the customer. Auckland Council does not make money on collection services,” shares Parul Sood, Auckland Council Waste Solutions General Manager.
“For many households, the costs of rubbish disposal will actually go down. Auckland Council seeks to introduce a smaller 80-litre bin for households who are minimising waste,” says Ms Sood.
At an estimated rate of $124, this 80L bin is $26 cheaper than the current 120-litre bins available on Waiheke.
Auckland Council had originally planned to move the region to a pay as you throw service, but this system was found to be more expensive to operate and overall did not reduce waste volumes. The consultation is seeking feedback on whether the transition to a pay as you throw system should proceed or whether the rates-funded model is preferred.
Waste recommendations and decisions are guided by the ultimate goal of zero waste. Auckland Council research found that ‘user pays’ bin tags did not uniquely influence waste minimisation. There are households across the region – including many on Waiheke - that have moved beyond needing to put their bin out frequently.
Local Board Chair Cath Handley encourages households to keep minimising waste, saying, “Waiheke is the first part of Auckland to have their kerbside rubbish and recycling services collected with electric trucks. We want to do what is best for the environment while keeping costs for households as low as possible. The smaller bin is going to suit lots of residents who are savvy on waste, and for large households the much larger bin may be attractive.”
Auckland Council’s Annual Budget 2022/23 is open for consultation and includes changes such as the proposed rubbish collection changes. Have your say before 28 March. Visit akhaveyoursay for more information.
