Households will get extra bins next year ahead of a Dunedin City Council revamp of rubbish and recycling kerbside collection starting in July.
That will include red-lidded wheelie bins for rubbish, as council rubbish bags will be dropped.
Many residents had already opted for wheelie bins through private providers and the new council service is expected to assume much of that space.
In the meantime, Waste Management and Enviro NZ have not been accepting sign-ups for private collection.
"We are not offering new wheelie bin contracts because there is a short period before the new council services start and we have a low stock of bins," Waste Management Otago and Southland manager Greg Nel said.
Waste Management would be assessing its services in the coming months as the new council services were rolled out.
The firm would refund any advance payment contracts cancelled because of the new council service.
Asked if withdrawal of kerbside collection was planned after June next year, Mr Nel said "our team would love to continue servicing the people of Dunedin".
"We’re still going to be part of the Dunedin community," the company said on its website.
Enviro NZ, formerly EnviroWaste, has a 10-year contract for the council service, starting this year.
"In terms of Enviro NZ’s commercial services for the residential market, I can confirm we’re continuing to provide a wheelie bin service in Dunedin," a spokeswoman said.
"We’re waiting on bins before we’ll take on new customers.
"All our bins are out and are fully committed to servicing our existing household customers."
There had been an increase in demand, "as one of the big providers pulls back from the residential wheelie bin market".
The revamped council service will include fortnightly collection of its red-lidded bins and a separate collection for food scraps and garden waste.
A council spokesman said there would be a "settling in" period for the first six months.
"After this, property owners will be able to change their bin size if they find it isn’t suitable."
Waste Management also advised the Dunedin Wickliffe St transfer station is to close from next month.
"This change will make our operations more efficient and reduce the carbon cost of long-distance transport," the company said on its website.
The nearest transfer station is at Green Island.
"It has extended operating hours and more waste and recycling options."
