Landfill Weight Based Charging Goes Smoothly

The change to weight based charging for refuse being disposed of at the Ruapehu district landfill in Taumarunui has been a success with landfill users.

Since the beginning of May Ruapehu District Council (RDC) has been charging for refuse disposal based on per kilogram rather than volume (per cubic metre).

RDC Waste Minimisation Officer, Steve Carson, said that feedback from users was overwhelmingly positive from both residential and commercial users.

“Householders using the landfill have said that the weighbridge has meant consistency and certainty with what they are going to be charged,” he said.

“With the old volume based charging there was a degree of subjectivity as it involved the landfill staff visually assessing refuse as part of determining the price to be charged.”

“This lead to some complaints about inconsistent charging for what customers thought was similar loads of refuse.”

“The weighbridge and weight based charging has resolved all these issues.”

Mr Carson noted that the aim has been for costs on average to be the same between weight and volume based charging.

“For some things at the extreme heavy/dense end, or the very lightweight end, people may end up paying more or less.”

“Householders with smaller loads have commented that they feel they are paying a little less on average than they did.”

“Hopefully this perception will encourage people to use the landfill more often and dispose of refuse properly rather than fly-tipping or other inappropriate means.”

ends

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