Waste disposal charges to increase

Charges to dispose of waste in Buller are to increase tomorrow after a 41% increase in transportation costs and 17% in onwards refuse disposal.

The cost of rubbish bags will increase 14% from $11.80 to $13.50 and the price to drop refuse at transfer stations will increase from $653 per tonne to $796 per tonne.

Buller’s refuse is transported to the York Valley landfill in Nelson, which has posted a 17% increase in charges from 1 July. The price of official refuse bags and disposal costs are set by contractor Smart Environmental Limited.

Refuse charges in Buller cover kerbside collection, the handling fee at the local transfer stations, transportation from Westport and Reefton to the York Valley Landfill in Nelson, as well as the Nelson landfill gate fee ($311 per tonne), but that is not all, Group Manager Infrastructure Services Anthony Blom says.

“On top of these handling and transport costs, there are Emissions Trading Scheme fees and the Waste Levy, which is also paid per tonne of waste disposed. SEL is unable to avoid passing on these costs,” Mr Blom says.

“When people purchase Buller rubbish bags, the cost is made up of collection around the district (averaged to $8.24 per bag), landfill disposal fees (averaged to $3.16 per bag), transport to landfill (averaged to $1.60 per bag) and the costs of procuring the bags (49 cents), to a total of $13.48 which is rounded to $13.50 per bag,” Mr Blom says.

The transfer station gate fees pay for landfill disposal cost, transport to landfill and handling costs.

“We appreciate that households are already managing tight budgets and increasing costs of living and know it’s a difficult time for further price increases impacting our residents. The council’s website provides information on ways to minimise waste, and a full schedule of waste disposal costs,” he says.

From July next year, refuse bins will be introduced for rubbish collection and disposal.

All domestic recycling brought to the Westport and Reefton Transfer Stations is accepted free of charge, but for larger quantities of recycling (over 250 kg), commercial charges apply and these have also increased.

There is no charge for disposing of green waste, or vehicle tyres, including those from cars, trucks, motorcycles, tractors and loaders (with a limit of five tyres per person or company per day).

Scrap metal disposal cost has reduced from $52 per tonne to $21.50 per tonne. This cost is charged to cover the processing costs incurred in bailing the material for market.

-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.