Kerbside Collections (current service)

Other Important Bin Information

• Your bin MUST be out by 7am.
• Place your bin close to the kerb or roadside and half a metre way from other bins, poles, fences, letterboxes, etc.
• Maximum weight is 75kg. Do not overfill, your bin lid must be closed. Extra items placed on top or next to the bin will not be collected.
• Additional Council bins are available on request (charges apply). Commercial collections for recycling and rubbish can be arranged. Call Council for more information.
• Bins are allocated to properties and charged for through a targeted rate. Each bin has a unique number, the bin address and collection day recorded on it. Newly built properties need to apply to the Council for their bins on completion of the building. Bin remain with the property if sold.

If you live outside of the Council collection areas you can:

• Take your recycling or rubbish to the nearest transfer station or drop-off facility, or arrange a private lease bin service.

If your bin is not collected:

• Check that your bin is not overweight (75kg maximum) and that it does not contain prohibited materials
• Consider the weather. Ice and snow can delay or prevent collection.
• Collections may be changed due to public holidays (noted on your collection calendar). Changes due to public holidays are also advertised in the CODC Noticeboard in The News and on Council's Facebook page.
• Wheelie bins must be on your kerbside by 7am. Occasionally the collection route has to be changed, so please don't get caught out and assume the truck will always come at the same time each week.
• If none of these circumstances apply, please contact the Council for discussion.

If your bin was missed in kerbside collection, please report to Council within 24 hours.

Missing or damaged bins

The wheelie bins belong to the contractor. If your bin goes missing you should:

• Check with your neighbours, someone may have borrowed it or thought it was theirs and taken it to a different property
• Look around your area
• If you intend to file an insurance claim you may need to file a police report

Bins which require replacement due to misuse, abuse, malicious or intentional damage will be charged for. If the bin disappeared while it was out for collection phone the Council to report it missing.

If Rubbish is left in your bin

The contractor may have left a notice drawing your attention to inappropriate contents or weight. Sometimes bins still have material in them due to the following:

• Long items jammed crosswise in the bin e.g. rose prunings
• Wet grass, paper or cardboard pressed down into the bin. Make sure you loosen material for the next collection day
• Frozen and/or wet refuse - keeping your refuse dry in very cold weather helps this from occurring

In these incidents, you will have to wait until the next scheduled collection to have your bin emptied or take the material to the transfer station and pay the disposal fee.

Top tips to reduce smelly rubbish bins

• Wash meat trays in soapy water after you have done your dishes or put them through a dishwasher cycle.
• Compost food scraps.
• Feed the birds, dog, chickens or goat your food scraps.
• Before you reach for the bleach to clean your bin, try a less toxic solution. Sprinkle a spoonful of bicarbonate of soda in the bottom of the bin, add hot water and a couple of drops of eucalyptus or tea tree oil. Swish around and rinse.
• Avoid overfilling and keep the lid flat.
• Double wrap offensive items in newspaper.
• Keep your bin out of direct sunlight.
• Clean and wash your bin regularly.
• After cleaning, place newspaper in the bottom of the bin.
• Put cat litter in the bottom of your bin.
• Rinse your bin with a garden hose from time to time, especially if you don't line your bin with paper.
• Ice is nice. Keeping your meat or fish scraps in the freezer until collection day helps reduce odours.

Recycling Drop-Offs

Recycling Drop-off Facilities operate in Alexandra, Cromwell, Roxburgh, Ranfurly, Omakau, Oturehua, Tarras and Patearoa.