New waste services

Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy with the council's new...
Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy with the council's new community-owned 120-litre wheelie bin.
Residents would soon be able to subscribe to a community-owned wheelie-bin service, Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said yesterday.

The service was introduced after the community indicated through the 10-year plan that it wanted different options for the district's rubbish collection.

The new service means householders are able to choose which option is the right one for them from the five available.

"And also to allow our community to be rewarded for choosing to contribute to the district's target to reduce waste to landfill by 50%," Mr Borowy said.

The options ranged from putting out no rubbish, thereby paying nothing, through to hiring a private 240-litre wheelie bin.

"The 60-litre blue-bag option remains, but we will introduce two new options from October," he said.

There would be a smaller and less expensive blue bag (30 litres) as well as the new community-owned 120-litre wheelie bin.

"The cost of hiring the 120-litre wheelie bin is $200 a year, as compared with a privately hired 240-litre wheelie bin at the cost of $347.

"So the new service is cheaper and better for the landfill and the environment," Mr Borowy said.

Customer services advisers at the council are now accepting subscriptions for the new wheelie-bin service.

"All you need to do is either call in and see us at the council, or ring or email, and the new service will commence from October," Mr Borowy said.

Council has taken delivery of the first two bins, which feature a "50% reduction" target on a bright red lid, and the message to reduce, reuse and recycle emblazoned on the side.

"We have created the options and it will be up to the community how they put these options to use."

As an example, a family could opt for the 120-litre wheelie bin, but only put it out for collection once a month, Mr Borowy said.

Another household might choose a 30-litre blue bag, but only fill it through a period of two weeks.

"It's entirely up to the individual, but our hope is, and certainly the message we have received from our communities is that there is a growing awareness that we have to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill," he said.Waste services


Waste Services:

The costs of the Queenstown Lakes District Council's new waste services. -

- No rubbish: No cost.

- 30-litre blue bag: $2 a bag.

- 60-litre blue bag: $3 a bag.

- 120-litre wheelie bin (community service): $200 per year.

- 240-litre wheelie bin (private service): $347 per year.


 

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