The plea came from some of the 26 concerned ratepayers who spoke at yesterday's public hearing on the city's proposed new kerbside collection system.
The council has identified Option C as its preferred choice, with black bags retained for rubbish and blue bins for glass, and a new wheelie bin - or a list of alternatives - introduced for other recyclables.
However, Gerald Morrison yesterday argued the existing "tried and true" system had the support of the "vast majority" of ratepayers, as shown by the council's residents' opinion survey.
It found 81% of respondents were satisfied, or very satisfied, with rubbish collection and 75% with recycling services.
"Why on earth would you want to change that and potentially open yourselves up to another project that has to be revisited after the changes are made?"
Blue bins could be kept indoors and handled by older people, did not blow over in the wind and were suitable for steep sections, he said.
"Wheelie bins fail in all these situations."
Alan Richardson argued wheelie bins would send more rubbish to landfills, as people filled any spare space with garden green waste and other rubbish.
That would contradict the council's aim of boosting recycling and diverting more material from landfills, as required by the Government 2002 waste strategy adopted by the council.
"Giving citizens a 140-litre recycling bin will do the same for rubbish and recycling in Dunedin as more motorway lanes has done for traffic congestion in Auckland. It'd be like alcohol for the alcoholic."
Others argued for a green waste collection service, with Geraldine Tait suggesting it should be an optional extra.
That would encourage those hiring private wheelie bins to dispose of green waste to use the council service, leading to more recycling and revenue from black bags, she said.
Others attacked the cost, perceived lack of flexibility and ease of access of Option C, saying ratepayers should be able to opt out or simply be given a second blue bin to separate glass from other recyclables.
Elizabeth Kerr expressed concern as a "token apartment-dweller" at where she would store the new wheelie bins, but Tom Bullock - one of the few to speak in support of Option C - said critics were ignoring the boost to recycling the new system would bring.
"I think it's a good system. I think it supports recycling and, realistically, that's the main aim."
Colin Lind took a more colourful tack, suggesting the answer was more landfills.
"I don't see really what the problem is - we have got lots of gullies," he argued.
Hearing chairman Cr Andrew Noone disagreed, saying "the filling up of gullies is over, I'm afraid".
Lucas Vorgers wheeled in an old rubbish tin on a rusty frame, full of rubbish and recycling, and placed it on to the council table to highlight his point.
"What do I need another bin for? . . . [I] will not have another container belonging to the council on our property. It's our property and no-one can force us to have it," he declared.
The council has received 623 written submissions on the proposed new service, 40% in support of Option C and 39% wanting the status quo.
Councillors will deliberate on Monday.
