Compactors are for compacting, not dumping

We have placed portable rubbish compactors at key locations around the district that see high visitor numbers but unfortunately they are being misused, or in the case of the one north of Colville pictured above, not being used at all, creating an unpleasant sight and rotting smells.

“This is the second pile of rubbish we have had to clear in less than a week,” says Bruce Hinson, our Infrastructure Group Manager. “We need people to understand that they have to put the rubbish into the compactor themselves to dispose of their rubbish bags properly, and not just dump it next to the compactor.”

These compactors are ideal because they can be moved around the district and placed at points where we have issues with rubbish disposal or high-use rubbish areas and take pressure off small communities that get overwhelmed by visitors using Council facilities.

Our compactors are located at:

• Kuaotunu Boat Ramp – also known as Quarry Point Boat Ramp. SH25 opposite 88 Kuaotunu-Wharekaho Rd.

• Opoutere - beside the Opoutere Community Hall at the corner of SH25 and Opoutere Rd.

• Old Coroglen Saleyard site – immediately south of the SH25 bridge over the Waiwawa River. 1909 SH25 Tairua-Whitianga Rd, near the junction with the Tapu-Coroglen Rd.

• Intersection of Port Jackson and Port Charles roads, at northern end of Colville Road.

The compactors are solar powered and coin operated ($2 coin only). Any rubbish of approximately the size of our Council blue rubbish bag, but they don’t need to be an official Council blue rubbish bag, can be disposed of into the hopper. Breakdowns have occurred previously due to misuse and vandalism so please take care when using them. If you have any issues with the compactors or need to dispose of any liquid or hazardous waste, please visit the nearest Refuse Transfer Station (RTS). To view the locations and operating hours, click here.

Before any compactor is placed on a site we discuss it with the local Resident and Ratepayer Groups, as well as informing the local community affected. We also welcome ideas from communities about any other possible sites where they can be trialled. See www.tcdc.govt.nz/rubbishcompactors for more information.

We have extra Kerbside rubbish and recycling collections over the summer period. Check the schedule for your area at www.tcdc.govt.nz/kerbside or pop into one of our council offices for a copy of the Kerbside schedule for your area. We are also posting regular updates and reminders on our Facebook page.

Please remember to put your blue Council rubbish bag, wheelie bin for non-glass recycling and crate for glass recycling on the kerbside by the road the morning of the scheduled collection day. Please don't hang rubbish bags from trees or poles or leave in cages. If pests ripping open bags are a concern in your area, you can purchase a gullinator - a sturdy mesh sac with a hoop at one end that sits over a rubbish bag - from our Council offices for $15.

If you miss your rubbish collection or leave town before collection day, blue bags and recycling can be dropped off at one of our RTS free of charge. RTS locations and hours are at www.tcdc.govt.nz/rts. Several of our RTS have 24/7 after-hours drop-off facilities and as mentioned above we also have the portable rubbish compactors.

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