Trade waste

Yes. Trade waste fees and charges may apply for:

• trade waste permit applications
• monitoring, sampling and analysis
• discharge volumes and contaminant loads
• investigations of non-compliance
• emergency response and remediation costs
• re-inspections and other trade waste services.

Trade waste fees are set under Tauranga City Council's Trade Waste Bylaw and are reviewed annually. Fees apply for each financial year from 1 July to 30 June. 

Current fees and charges

No. If your business meets the requirements of an Allowed Discharge, you do not need a trade waste permit. Allowed Discharges are low-risk trade waste discharges that comply with Council's requirements and do not exceed 1 m³ of trade wastewater per day.

Once you submit your application, a Trade Waste Specialist will assess it. We may contact you for more information or arrange a site inspection. In some cases, pre-treatment equipment or a maintenance programme may be required before approval is granted.

Your current permit remains valid until it expires. Existing permits will transition to the new permit framework, and Council will contact you when it is time to renew or move to a new permit.

No. Mobile operators, such as mobile food or coffee vendors, are typically considered low-risk activities and usually do not require a trade waste permit, provided their wastewater discharge remains within the limits for an Allowed Discharge

Some home-based businesses generate trade waste even though they operate from a residential property.

If your business produces more than 1 m³ of wastewater per day, you will likely require a trade waste permit. Businesses generating less than 1 m³ per day may qualify as an Allowed Discharge.

If you're unsure, contact Council or check your water use records to help estimate your daily wastewater volume.

Grease traps and grease interceptors are available from plumbing suppliers, wastewater equipment providers, and plumbing contractors. We recommend working with a qualified wastewater specialist, plumber or drainlayer to ensure the system is correctly sized and installed.

Before purchasing a grease trap, businesses are encouraged to check the bylaw requirements and discuss their proposed system with Council if they are unsure.

A compliant grease trap or grease interceptor is a system designed to remove fats, oils, grease, and food solids before wastewater enters the public wastewater network.

Under the draft bylaw, grease traps or interceptors are generally expected to:

• have a minimum functional capacity of 750 litres
• be correctly sized for the wastewater generated by the business
• be regularly cleaned and maintained
• remain in good working order at all times
• meet any additional requirements specified by Tauranga City Council.

Existing grease traps that are smaller than 750 litres may not automatically need replacing if the business can demonstrate that its discharge complies with the bylaw requirements. Council will provide guidance on transition arrangements for existing installations.

No. Tauranga City Council does not approve grease converters as a primary grease management solution for trade waste discharges. While these units may alter or treat grease through biological dosing, they do not provide sufficient physical separation and removal of fats, oils and grease (FOG) prior to discharge to Council's wastewater network.

If you already have an approved grease converter installed, Council may allow it to continue operating. The system must be regularly serviced and maintained in accordance with the manufacturer's requirements and any trade waste permit conditions.

Permit duration depends on the type of discharge:

Controlled Trade Waste Permit

• Issued for one year.
• Automatically renewed each year, provided permit conditions and fees are up to date.

Conditional Trade Waste Permit

• Usually issued for one or three years.
• Renewal is required before the permit expires.

Grease traps and interceptors help prevent fats, oils, grease and food solids from entering the wastewater network.

They reduce the risk of:

• wastewater blockages
• overflows
• odours
• damage to Council infrastructure
• environmental contamination

They are an important part of protecting the wastewater system and keeping it operating efficiently.

Most food businesses and premises where fats, oils, grease or food solids are generated will require an approved grease trap, grease interceptor or another Council-approved pre-treatment system.

The exact requirements depend on the nature and scale of your business.

Cleaning frequency depends on:

• the size and type of grease trap
• the volume of wastewater generated
• business activity
• permit conditions

As a minimum, grease traps are generally required to be cleaned at least every six months, although more frequent servicing may be required.

Grease traps should be cleaned by a suitably qualified service contractor who can:

• remove accumulated fats, oils, grease and solids
• transport waste for appropriate disposal
• inspect the device for any maintenance issues
• provide service records where required.

Businesses will be asked to provide cleaning and maintenance records to Council.

Yes. Council may carry out inspections, monitoring, sampling and audits to ensure compliance with trade waste permit conditions and bylaw requirements

Yes. Council may collect wastewater samples or require monitoring to assess compliance with permit conditions and the Trade Waste Bylaw.

Businesses with a Controlled Trade Waste Permit may be required to keep records such as:

• grease trap servicing records
• cleaning and maintenance records
• waste disposal receipts or documentation
• other records required by permit conditions

Proof of cleaning and servicing should be emailed to greasetraps@tauranga.govt.nz

Businesses with a Conditional Trade Waste Permit may be required to keep:

• cleaning and maintenance records
• waste disposal documentation
• sampling and laboratory results
• monitoring data
• flow meter records
• trade waste management records

Additional requirements may apply depending on the nature of the discharge.

Some higher-risk businesses operating under a Conditional Trade Waste Permit may be required to prepare and maintain a Trade Waste Management Plan.

A management plan helps identify risks, outlines control measures and demonstrates how the business will comply with permit requirements.

Allowed Discharges and most Controlled Trade Waste Permits do not require a Trade Waste Management Plan.

No. Stormwater must not be discharged into the wastewater system.

Keeping stormwater separate helps protect wastewater infrastructure and treatment processes.

Tankered waste is wastewater or other liquid waste that is transported by vehicle for disposal. This includes waste carried in tankers and other liquid waste transport vehicles.

No. Tankered waste must not be discharged directly into the wastewater network.

Tankered waste may only be discharged at approved commercial waste treatment facilities that are authorised to receive it. Facilities receiving tankered waste must hold the appropriate approvals and a Conditional Permit.

Council may take enforcement action if a business does not comply with its trade waste permit or the Trade Waste Bylaw. This may include warnings, compliance notices, additional monitoring, cost recovery, infringement notices, suspension of permits, or prosecution for serious or repeated offences. Council may take immediate action where a discharge poses a risk to the wastewater network, public health or the environment.