Tauranga has a mainly user pays waste system. Rubbish collections, composting and the two transfer stations are all operated by private contractors and funded through user charges.
Litter collection and street cleaning is managed by the council and funded from rates. Waste minimisation programmes are funded by the national waste levy.
Rates-funded rubbish and recycling collection
Tauranga City Council currently only provides a rates-funded kerbside glass collection service. We are introducing rates-funded rubbish, recycling, food scraps and optional garden waste collections from July 2021.
Kerbside glass collections Rates-funded kerbside collections 2021
Public place rubbish and recycling bins
You may have seen our new public place rubbish and recycling bins popping up around our city. Here’s a quick guide for how to use them.
Landfills
Waste from Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council areas gets transported to the Waikato region and disposed of at consented landfills. Even though these landfills are constructed and operated to international environmental standards, they are poor long term solutions for the planet and for public health.