Wheelie bins from February

Major changes to Dunedin's kerbside recycling will begin in February next year, with a lower than expected household cost, major benefits for at least one struggling city company, and spin-off business opportunities for others.

From February 28, every residence in Dunedin will have a 240-litre wheelie bin, or an 80-litre wheelie bin for smaller properties, for non-glass recycling, while existing blue bins will be used for glass only, on alternate weeks.

The cost per household will be $63 a year, a lower cost than the $77 per household that had been estimated.

The Dunedin City Council yesterday announced a group of four companies had won a $24.8 million, seven-year contract.

EnviroWay - a division of EnviroWaste - was the principal contractor, with Fullcircle (a part of Carter Holt Harvey), Hall Bros and Cargill Enterprises providing elements of the service.

As part of the contract price, a new resource recovery park would be built near the Green Island landfill to handle the recyclable materials.

The announcement follows extensive public consultation.

Last year, the council identified what was labelled "Option C" as its preferred choice, with black bags retained for rubbish and blue bins for glass, plus a new wheelie bin or a list of alternatives introduced for other recyclables.

During consultation, the council received 623 written submissions on the proposed new service, 40% in support of Option C and 39% wanting the status quo.

Cr Andrew Noone yesterday said the new system followed the council's recycling strategy, which called for more recycling, and less waste to landfill.

"In terms of value for money, this is particularly good," Cr Noone said.

An expanded variety of waste could be put in the new wheelie bin, including polystyrene and foam packaging, cardboard, paper, tins and aluminium cans.

City environment general manager Tony Avery said the problem in the past for glass recycling was contamination of the product from other waste, something the new system should fix.