4 May 2004
Annual allocation of Council rubbish bags halved
Ratepayers will start receiving coupons for their 2004-2005 annual allocation of Council rubbish bags this week -
providing one pack of 26 bags.
These coupons can be used at most supermarkets until 13 June, 2004, and at any Council Service Centre or the Civic
Offices until 30 April, 2005.
People renting properties should get their annual allocation of bags from their landlord or property manager.
Ratepayers will only be charged for 26 rubbish bags, but still have the choice to buy more Council rubbish bags if
needed. The reduced annual allocation from 52 is part of the Council’s effort to reduce waste going to landfill and
shift attitudes on waste treatment.
The Council instead aims to encourage home composting, recycling, and reusing of resources because research shows that
over half the contents of an average household rubbish bag could be composted or recycled. Each year in Christchurch
people throw out a staggering 228,000 tonnes of resources or 650kg of waste for every person in Christchurch. That is
about 40 city buses full of waste being sent to landfill each day.
For helpful information on how to reduce rubbish, visit www.ccc.govt.nz/waste
ENDS