Papakura Ditches Bin Tags As Auckland Shifts To Rate-Funded Collection

Monday, 10 March 2025, 9:36 pm
Article: Torika Tokalau - Local Democracy Reporter

Prepaid rubbish bin tags will be scrapped in parts of south Auckland from 1 May as the city moves towards a standardised waste service.

Papakura residents will no longer need to purchase and use prepaid bin tags from 1 May - the last area in Auckland to stop using the tags.

The region joins other parts of Auckland who have already moved away from bin tags, as Auckland Council rubbish collections will be funded by residential property rates.

Council Waste Solutions general manager Justine Haves said standardising waste services across Auckland will give everyone access to the same service at the same cost, wherever they live.

"That includes recycling and food scraps," she said.

"[It] gives us the best chance to minimise waste and reduce emissions as we work towards Auckland's goal of zero waste by 2040."

Auckland Council previously planned to roll out bin tags across the region, however it has since found the pay as you throw (PAYT) system the most expensive option for kerbside rubbish collection.

In 2022, the council proposed moving the entire region to a rates-funded collection service.

West Auckland stopped using bin tags last year, while the North Shore dropped them in March.

According to council, bin tags will be accepted on council bins in Papakura until 30 April.

After this date, Papakura residents can get a refund from local libraries for unused bin tags for a limited time - from 1 May to 30 June, 2025.

"We want to protect Auckland's natural environment by reducing reliance on landfills, while keeping costs for Aucklanders as low as possible.

Aucklanders who do not use the pay-as-you-throw collections have three choices for bin sizes, according to the size that best meets their individual household's needs.

Haves said the targeted rates charged for a property's rubbish collection will depend on the size of the bin.

"If households use their food scrap bins and recycling bins regularly, most will find that a smaller rubbish bin than they have now will work for them."

For households that require a larger bin, ratepayers can request a bigger rubbish bin from council - for a slightly higher cost to that property's rates, Haves said.

Large households can also request a second food scraps bin, at no charge.

For Manukau - it will be business as usual as the area already has rates-funded rubbish services.

Haves said Manukau residents should continue to wheel out their bins by 7am on their usual collection day, unless otherwise specified.

Residents on a main arterial route may need to place it out the night before or by 5.30am on collection day.

For those living the rural zone, who would like to continue using bags, they can email ratesfunded@aucklandcouncil.govt.nz

Rural residents will still have options on the number of waste bags they would like to use, depending on their household requirements.

Franklin will change from council bags to bins in July 2025, followed two months later by Rodney, which currently has no council rubbish collections.

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.

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