As part of our kerbside collection service, we provide an optional service that collects garden waste from your kerbside, turns it into compost, and gives it a second life.
Garden waste bins are 240L and available for residential properties.
How much does the garden waste collections service cost?
Residents can choose between a 4-weekly collection or a fortnightly collection and the service is charged annually on your rates invoice.
When you first sign up, there will be an initial cost invoiced for the service depending on when you take up the service:
- Between 1 July - 31 December: full annual charge*
- (currently $80 for 4-weekly collection or $110 for fortnightly collections for the current rates year (1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026)
- Between 1 January - 31 March: 50% of full annual charge
- Between 1 April - 30 June: no charge
The full annual charge* will then be added to your property rates for the following rates years (from 1 July), unless you cancel your garden waste service before 30 June.
* The full annual charge is subject to change each new rates year.
Garden Waste Terms and Conditions (74 kb pdf) Privacy Statement (76 kb pdf)
What can I put in my garden waste bin?
The maximum weight for the 240L garden waste bin is 40 kg.
How can I sign-up?
Only ratepayers (or those authorised by a ratepayer) can sign up for the service. Please note:
- You will need your Customer Number and Valuation Number handy (found on your property or water rates invoice)
- The registration form is not compatible with Internet Explorer so please use an alternative browser such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge to sign up instead. Alternatively, contact us to register.
Sign up now
Cancelling or changing collection frequency
If you wish to cancel or change the frequency of your service, you must do this before 30 June for the change to be reflected in your rates invoice for the following year (1 July - 30 June). If you cancel or change your frequency after 30 of June in any year, you’ll still need to pay the full annual charge to cover the service for the following rates year.
Change or cancel your service at the online portal
Your questions answered
Tenants can ask their landlord or property manager to sign up for garden waste collections on their behalf.
Property managers will need to seek permission from the landlord to sign up to garden waste collections on behalf of the tenant, as an additional annual charge will be added onto the property’s rates.
No, this service is not available for apartment complexes or retirement villages.
Yes, but some households will need to take their garden waste bin to their nearest public road for servicing. This is the case even if their rubbish, recycling, glass and food scraps are serviced outside their property. If you are unsure, phone the contact centre on 577 7000 to see where you need to place your garden waste bin for servicing.
If you have signed up for the garden waste collection and then cancel your service before 30 June in any year, you will not be charged the annual charge in the rates invoice for the following rates year of 1 July - 30 June. If you don’t cancel your garden waste service by this date, you will be automatically charged the annual fee for the service for the following rates year.
We cannot change the way your property is rated part way through rating year, so if you want to cancel this service you must do so by 30 June to avoid your property being charged this fee for the following rating year.
If you are selling your property, you will need to let the new owners know of their obligation to pay this fee in their rates until the following June.
Assisted service may be available for garden waste, but it depends on property access and other factors. Please call 07 577 7000 or email kerbside@tauranga.govt.nz to check if your property qualifies.