New national standardised recycling guidelines mean positive changes for Buller

Buller’s recycling guidelines will change this summer, following the Ministry for the Environment’s order to standardise all recycling collection guidelines across New Zealand from 1 February 2024.

Standardising the system across all councils aims to make it easier for New Zealanders to know what is accepted as recycling, and for councils and waste management providers to run more effective recycling collections.

All materials currently accepted for kerbside collection in Buller will remain recyclable. In addition, plastic meat trays marked 1 and pizza boxes without food residue will now be accepted. All plastics marked 1, 2 and 5, whether they are clear or coloured, can now be recycled. Previously only clear plastics were accepted. Aluminium and steel tins and cans are accepted as previously.

All recycling must still be clean and free from food scraps or residue. Jars and bottles must be clean and have their lids and caps removed.

The Buller District is divided into three refuse and recycling zones. Zone one covers the Westport township, the areas from Westport to the Mōkihinui Bridge, Westport to Punakaiki, Westport to Reefton including Blacks Point, and Reefton to Ikamatua. Only residents in recycling and refuse zone one have a fortnightly recycling collection (kerbside collection).

Zone two is the Karamea area, from north of the Mōkihinui Bridge. Zone three is beyond Blacks Point including Springs Junction and Maruia. Residents in zones two and three have to drop off their recycling at local facilities, however, the new guidelines will apply to all zones.

Council’s solid waste coordinator Juliana Ruiz says, “The changes will be good for people in Buller, as they will reduce confusion around what can and cannot go into the yellow bins. With more items able to be recycled, residents can further reduce the amount of waste they pay to dispose of. It is also a great development for the waste management sector, with more items now being considered recyclable and therefore diverted from landfill.”

Residents will be able to access information and flyers explaining the new guidelines on council’s website from 16 January 2024.   

-ENDS-

For further information contact:
Eric de Boer
Manager Infrastructure Delivery
Eric.deboer@bdc.govt.nz