Council to progress three-strike recycling change

We are looking at proceeding with a three-strike rule for people who keep putting rubbish in their recycling bin, but reducing the suspension period.

A total of 59 people made a formal submission on our draft Waste Bylaw, and hundreds more commented on social media.

Councillors this week decided:

• If people want change, they can request that council consider a change of service (such as an extra red bin) via the Long Term Plan next year, noting there would be a cost to this. Council staff will be coming back with more information.

• To proceed with three strikes, but reduce the suspension period to three collections (from six); consider informing landowners if a tenant’s yellow bin or glass collection is suspended.

• Registration of waste collection operators and private waste management facilities: proceed.

• Staff will bring an updated policy and bylaw back to the September council meeting.

Submissions revealed slight majority support for three strikes. Concerns raised included:

• The size of red bins and how often they are emptied.

• The need for better recycling education.

• A need for better disposal options.

A major recycling education campaign will be rolled out shortly.

Councillors faced a challenging balance between the requests made through submissions and meeting obligations under the Waste Minimisation Plan, which includes targets such as reducing waste tonnage per person by 2030.