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 proposing to introduce a rates-funded kerbside recycling, food scraps and rubbish service in 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.