Green waste disposal charges to be reinstated at the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations

Residents will need to pay to dispose of their green waste again at the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations from 11 November 2026.

Most types of green waste have been accepted for free at both transfer stations since December 2024, when a trial began to test co-composting of mulched transfer station green waste with wastewater sludge from the Westport Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

Sludge is the solid material left over after wastewater treatment processes are complete. At this time, garden green waste disposal was made free to help obtain the extra quantity of material necessary for the composting trial.

Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says: “It was hoped that the composting trial would result in a beneficial use for both types of material, but unfortunately, the resultant product did not meet the necessary quality standards required for its intended commercial end use. As such, the composting trial has ended, with sludge disposal at the Kate Valley Landfill underway.”

Without this ongoing requirement for additional green waste, council will reinstate a user charge for green waste received at the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations from Wednesday 11 November 2026.

Green waste disposal will be charged for at $185 per tonne, including GST. This charge will replace the current ‘free of charge’ green waste fee entry in Buller District Council’s 2026/27 Fees and Charges Schedule for Westport and Reefton. Please note, the schedule currently states ‘Pricing set by contractor, subject to change.’

“The green waste received will still be shredded onsite, and the resulting material made available to the public to take away, free of charge, for use as untreated garden mulch. The reinstated disposal charge will cover the operational costs of processing and shredding the material” continues Mr Blom.

Residents utilising green waste disposal are asked to continue separating out cabbage tree leaves, flax, agapanthus, bamboo, stumps and branches over 300 mm in diameter from their green waste and dispose of them as general waste.

-ENDS-

For further information please contact:
Community Engagement Team
Buller District Council
Media.Enquiries@bdc.govt.nz 

Disclaimer
The information in this media release was correct at time of publication. Changes in circumstances after the time of publication may impact on the accuracy of the information.