Rubbish Bags for Lakes Residents
Areas using rubbish bags
Some residents at Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotoehu, Lake Rotomā and Lake Okareka are using red Council rubbish bags instead of wheelie bins. We do encourage these residents to opt in to use wheelie bins where available, as bins are more environmentally friendly and safer for our collections staff.
Where to collect rubbish bags
Residents in these areas are entitled to 52 plastic council rubbish bags each rating year (1 July to 30 June). To collect your bag allocation, take proof of address to any of the following locations:
- Rotorua Recycling Centre: 28 Te Ngae Road (Monday – Saturday, 7.30am – 4.30pm, Sunday, 9.30am – 4.30pm).
- Okere Falls Transfer Station: 15 Okere Road (Thursday – Sunday, 8.30am – 12pm).
- Tarawera Transfer Station: Tarawera Road, between Green Lake and Buried Village (Thursday and Sunday, 1pm – 4.30pm).
- Mamaku Transfer station: 14 Kaponga Street (Wednesday and Saturday, 8.30am – 11.30am).
- Reporoa Transfer Station: Corner Birch and Massey Roads (Wednesday and Saturday, 1pm – 4.30pm).
Information for Lake Tarawera residents
Kerbside collection of bags or bins is not currently available for Lake Tarawera residents due to terrain and access to many properties.
Lake Tarawera residents must drop household rubbish and recycling at the Tarawera Transfer Station – 1113 Tarawera Road. It’s free to drop red Council rubbish bags and recycling at this transfer station.
Other non-Council bags and rubbish will incur a landfill charge and can be dropped off during manned station hours (Thursday and Sunday: 1pm - 4.30pm). Disposal of other bags and rubbish outside of these hours or without payment classifies as illegal dumping and may result in an infringement fine.
Kerbside collection for rubbish bags
Kerbside collection of Council bags is available in most areas at Lake Rotoiti, Lake Rotoehu, Lake Rotomā and Lake Ōkāreka.
Please put your rubbish out by 7.30 am on collection day. For lakes areas, collection day is Monday. Christmas Day is the only public holiday that can change the day of kerbside collection for Monday areas – if Christmas Day falls on a Monday, collections will move to Tuesday for that week.
Make sure your bags are firmly tied and wherever possible, place them away from other objects on the verge of the kerbside, away from cars, and not on the road. If the roadside is not suitable, call Council’s Customer Solutions team on 07 348 4199 for advice on the best place to leave your bag.
What can go in the bags
Your red bag is for general household rubbish that cannot be recycled. Please note that there are some things which cannot go into your rubbish bag. These include:
Explosives and flammable material (including gas bottles) | Hazardous waste |
Liquid chemicals (e.g. herbicides, insecticides) | Strong household cleaners (e.g. bleach) |
Dry chemicals | Automotive products (e.g. car, boat or truck batteries) |
Paints and solvents | Dead animals/pets |
Hot material (e.g. ashes) | Medical sharps |
These items need to be taken to landfill for suitable disposal – please discuss with landfill staff.
Purchasing more Council rubbish bags
Additional bags can be purchased for $1.70 each or a bundle of 10 for $17. You can purchase from:
- Rotorua Recycling Centre – 24 Te Ngae Road, Rotorua.
- Ōkere Falls Transfer Station (refer above for opening hours).
- Tarawera Transfer Station (refer above for opening hours).
Switching between bags and bins
If you live in an area which can be serviced for wheelie bins, you may be able to switch from bags to bins. We encourage this switch as bins are more environmentally friendly and safer for our collections staff. Please make your choice carefully as residents who switch to bins cannot return to a bag service. If you would like to switch to bins, please call Council on 07 348 4199.
What to do with recycling
The following items are accepted for recycling as part of Council services:
- Paper and cardboard
- Plastics numbered 1, 2 and 5
- Aluminium and steel cans
- Glass jars and bottles
Recyclables can be dropped off for free at the following locations:
- Okere Falls Transfer Station: 15 Okere Road (Thursday – Sunday, 8.30am – 12pm).
- Tarawera Transfer Station: Tarawera Road, between Green Lake and Buried Village (Thursday and Sunday, 1pm – 4.30pm).
- The Recycling Centre: 28 Te Ngae Road (Monday – Saturday, 7.30am – 4.30pm, Sunday, 9.30am – 4.30pm).
Glass only recycling bins for bottles and jars are available at the Rotoiti Sports Club and Tamatea Street in Rotoiti, and Merge boat ramp in Rotomā.
Please ensure all recyclables are empty and clean, and lids are removed and placed into the rubbish.
Renting out property to holiday makers
Have clear information about rubbish collections and drop-off areas available to people who stay at your property. Let them know what they should do with any rubbish or recyclables they generate while staying.
Download and print the following information sheet to display this information in your holiday home. Please get in touch with our Customer Services team on 07 348 4199 if you would like a printed copy sent out to you.
