Auckland residents on the North Shore and Papakura will experience a significant change to their kerbside rubbish collection services starting March 3 and May 1, 2024, respectively. The Auckland Council encourages locals to prepare by “planning ahead” and making use of their remaining prepaid bin tags.
Currently, these suburbs rely on prepaid bin tags for waste collection, a system that will be phased out in favor of a weekly, rates-funded rubbish collection method similar to the rest of the city. Waitākere has already implemented this change in December 2023.
Understanding the New System
Under the new system, rubbish collection bins will be provided and emptied on a weekly basis at no additional cost. Residents won’t need to purchase prepaid tags, as the service will be funded by the universal rates they already pay.
The total cost of this service will depend on the size of your rubbish bin and the timing of the tag phase-out in your area. Rates charged vary from around $140 for a smaller bin to approximately $300 for a larger bin.
To find the exact cost tailored to your needs, you can visit the Auckland Council’s property rates valuation page.
Preparing for the Transition
The Auckland Council advises residents to plan ahead, utilizing any remaining prepaid bin tags before they become obsolete.
Avoid purchasing more prepaid tags than necessary to minimize waste. If you find yourself with unused tags, the council offers a refund process.
Resident refunds for the North Shore will be accepted between March 1 and April 30, 2024. For Papakura, the period is May 1 to June 30, 2024. Refunds for ten or fewer tags can be obtained at selected libraries. These refunds will be credited to debit or credit cards, with cash refunds unavailable.
Individuals with 11 or more unused prepaid bin tags must