Level of service confirmed for Hamilton's new kerbside collection

Hamiltonians are one step closer to getting their new kerbside collection service with Council today (16 August) approving the new level of service for the city.

Hamilton City Council will roll out its new wheeled bin and more recycling options service from July 2020, which includes replacing the current black bag collection with separate wheeled bins for rubbish and recycling, a smaller separate food waste collection bin and using the existing recycling crates for glass only.

Waste Minimisation Advisor Charlotte Catmur says the current recycling service, which was established in 2002, is no longer ‘fit for purpose’ so the new service will be a major step forward for the city aligning it with other leading Councils in New Zealand.

“The new service will provide Hamilton with a rubbish and recycling service that maximises diversion while providing the greatest value to the ratepayer.
“It will also result in cleaner streets from a reduction in litter from the kerbside collection, meet the community’s expectations around recycling and increase the diversion of food waste to landfill,” says Ms Catmur.

In 2016 the Council consulted with the community on what the kerbside collection should include. There were around 2800 written submissions received with the majority in support of the proposed new service.

As part of the new service there will be assisted collections to help physically impaired or elderly residents and special services for intensive housing areas that cannot be serviced effectively through this kerbside collection service.

The new service is designed to increase Hamilton’s recycling rate from 29 per cent (by weight) to 50 per cent, which under current anticipated growth levels would mean diverting more than 100,000 tonnes of waste from landfill in the 10 years from 2020/21.

Check out Fight the Landfill to double check your collection days
The kerbside collection service is:
• 120 litre rubbish wheeled bin, collected fortnightly
• 240 litre recycling wheeled bin, collected fortnightly
• 45 litre crate for glass, collected fortnightly
• 20-30 litre food bin, collected weekly.

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