Bin tags: Scrapping pay-as-you-throw collection 'unfair', low-waste residents say

Caroline Williams Reporter from North Shore Times

Auckland Council’s proposal to scrap bin tags in favour of rates-funded rubbish collections has been labelled “unfair” by residents who produce very little waste.

West Auckland, North Shore and Papakura residents have been on a pay-as-you-throw system for their kerbside rubbish collection since 2017-2018.

This system was to be implemented across the region, however, Auckland Council now believes the price of bin tags will need to be much higher to incentivise residents to reduce their waste.

So, it is proposing to move the entire region to a rates-funded collection service, the price of which is determined by what size bins residents use.

The council estimates that with a standard 120 litre rubbish bin, this will cost households $314 per year, which covers rubbish, recycling and inorganic collection. In 2023, the council will also roll out a food scraps collection service, which is not optional and will bring the rate up to $375.

Birkdale residents Jacqui and Alan Vowles​ put their bin out about once a month. On the rates-funded model, this would cost them around $31.25 per collection, rather than the around $51 per year they currently spend on bin tags.

Jacqui Vowles said this was an exorbitant amount compared to the cost of a bin tag.

“I don’t think it’s fair at all.”

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