How much green is going in Ashburton’s red bin?
By local democracy reporter Jonathan Leask:
How much green waste the Ashburton District sends to landfill will be investigated before introducing kerbside green waste collection.
It is estimated that green waste makes up around 40% of the district’s general wast.
The Ashburton District Council is planning to introduce green waste collection in 2026, to align with a new waste management contract.
It has to start collecting household food waste by 2027 under government legislation, but in the long-term plan, the council is proposing to expand that to a food and organic waste collection service.
Which service it lands on will be decided over the next few weeks as councillors deliberate on public feedback to the draft plan.
But councillor Richard Wilson wants work done to get a clearer picture of how much green waste is being sent to the landfill at Kate Valley.
“So we don’t wake up on the first day of green waste and go 'whoops we were wrong' by what could be three of four thousand tonnes quite easily”.
Infrastructure and open spaces group manager Neil McCann said it was something the council could look into.
“We could do an occasional audit over the next few months just to get an idea or feel towards how much green waste is in the red bins.
“It would be a good idea to get a rough estimate.”
Between June 2023 and March, the Ashburton District sent 11,426 tonnes of waste to the regional landfill at Kate Valley.
That puts the district on track to surpass the 14,800 tonnes in the previous financial year.
The introduction of green waste bins aims to dramatically reduce those figures, with a 2001 study showing between 32-40% of the waste going to landfill was organic.
The introduction of green waste bins will also present a cost saving by reducing the amount of waste being transported to Kate Valley.
For both green bin options the collected waste would be taken to the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park, and then sent to a plant in Canterbury for composting.
But there is a setup cost and additional cost of collection.
The council expect to receive a waste minimisation fund subsidy to help offset the introduction costs.
The 240-litre organic and food waste bin would cost ratepayers $72 while the 23-litre food waste bins would cost $35 per year.
Poll: Are our Kiwi summer holidays helping us recharge, or holding the economy back? ☀️🥝
There’s growing debate about whether New Zealand’s extended Christmas break (and the slowdown that comes with it) affects productivity.
Tracy Watkins has weighed in ... now it’s your turn. What’s your take? 🤔
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73% We work hard, we deserve a break!
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17.5% Hmm, maybe?
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9.5% Yes!
Have you seen Rowena?
Police are urgently appealing for sightings of Rowena, 39, reported missing from Christchurch.
She was reported missing to Police on 22 October 2025, and was last seen on 14 August 2025. Rowena hasn’t been in contact with her children and her family are worried for her safety.
Police investigating her disappearance have identified her as being in Auckland, Tauranga and Christchurch in the recent months prior to her missing person report being made.
If you have seen Rowena, or have any information regarding her whereabouts, please contact us immediately.
You can contact us via 105 either over the phone or online at 105.police.govt.nz, clicking “Update Report” and referencing file number 251022/9026.
Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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