To help reduce wait times at Te Maunga Transfer Station, Tauranga City Council will be changing the way garden waste is charged.

"From May 1, if you only have garden waste inside your vehicle (cars, utes and SUVs – excluding trailers) you will pay a set charge of $17 when entering the transfer station," a council spokesperson said.

"This replaces the current system where vehicles are weighed on entry and exit, and the difference in weight is charged."

Council said the set charge is $17 no matter how much garden waste is inside the vehicle and is the same as the current minimum charge of $17 for up to 110kgs of garden waste. 

"If you have general waste and garden waste inside your vehicle, you have two options.

"You can weigh your vehicle on entry and exit and pay a general waste rate for the entire load (minimum charge $29.50 up to 60kgs). Or you can weigh in on entry, unload your general rubbish and pay for it on the way out, then re-enter with your garden waste and pay the $17 set charge."

There will be no change to the way trailer loads of garden waste are charged.

Trailers will continue to be weighed on entry and exit, with payment made on leaving.

Council also said there will be no change to the way commercial customers are charged for garden waste.