It is business as usual for Western Bay of Plenty District Council kerbside collections this summer holiday period.

Public holidays will not affect the Monday to Friday scheduled collection of rubbish, recycling and food scraps across the Western Bay of Plenty.

'This is our first Christmas holiday season with the kerbside collection system in-place, and we want to reassure everyone that their rubbish, recycling and food scraps will be collected as usual,” says Gary Allis, Deputy CEO and Group Manager Infrastructure Services.

'The community has done a great job of minimising waste since this service started six months ago, and we want to take that momentum into the summer holiday period when we all have a little bit more rubbish, recycling and food waste to deal with.

'The increased volume in rubbish and recycling may mean it takes our contractors a little longer to get around their routes, so please make sure you leave your bins out until 7pm to give our drivers enough time to get to your bin,' says Gary.

If your bin hasn't been collected after 7pm, you can report the missed collection via our new online missed collection form at kerbsidecollective.co.nz/contact-hub/

When last checked the level of contamination in the District's recycling material was below 10 per cent (on average across the District).

This low rate of contamination ensures recycling will go on to become something new, and not go to landfill, says Gary.

'We're blown away by how well our community has taken on this new service and the challenge of minimising waste to landfill. Now we show our guests and visitors how it's done.”

Visitors will also need to learn about the Western Bay of Plenty's unique Pay-As-You-Throw tag system.

Gary says all red lid rubbish bins must have a pre-paid PAYT tag or they won't be emptied.

'With this pre-paid system you only pay for what you use. So, the less waste you generate, the less you'll pay.”

A PAYT tag must be attached correctly through both black and red handles of your red lid rubbish bin or it won't be emptied. Tags can be purchased from local retailers, listed online at kerbsidecollective.co.nz/payt/

There are no additional charges for mixed recycling, glass or food scraps.

Gary is also encouraging residents to sign up for Council's free reminder service through the Antenno app.

'It's easy to lose track of the days between Christmas and New Year, but if you download Antenno we'll send you a reminder to put your bin out the night before.”

More information on the app is available on our website westernbay.govt.nz/antenno

Stay up to date with all of Council's essential services, including extended recycling centre hours on westernbay.govt.nz/summerinfo

Helpful kerbside resources

Not sure what items goes in what bin?

Use our handy item finder kerbsidecollective.co.nz/item-search/

When do I put my bins out?

Try our collection day finder kerbsidecollective.co.nz/collection-day/

Where can I purchase pay-as-you-throw tags?

For a full list of locations visit kerbsidecollective.co.nz/payt/

For more information visit kerbsidecollective.co.nz