Blue Bag Recycling is Proving Popular in Kaipara

Kerbside recycling is taking off in Kaipara with growing numbers of residents using the new official blue bag collection.

Kaipara Refuse Limited reports that by 10 November, following sorting by Kauriland Skills Centre workers, more than 30 tonnes of recyclable materials had been sent away for re-use instead of ending up in landfills. Also the number of bags picked up almost trebled between the first and third fortnightly collections and is still growing.

The popularity of Kaipara Refuse Limited’s blue recycling bags has been further acknowledged by the service being among the most commented on topics in a recent satisfaction survey of council services.

Kaipara Refuse Operations Manager Matthew Hayhurst says the operation is coming together well with the Kauriland workers learning their new roles and enjoying the sorting.

“They are getting a real buzz and line up to start work before the whistle goes”.

The growing number of bags will see the sorting operation move soon from Kauriland’s at Tokatoka to Kaipara Refuse Limited’s Ruawai depot.

However, despite the good start more people need to become regular recyclers to ensure that the present year long trial becomes a permanent fixture.

“Kaipara desperately needed a service like this and is great to see the way recycling is catching on,” says Mayor Neil Tiller. “I congratulate everyone who is taking this environmentally responsible approach to disposing of unwanted items.”

“But at the end of the day the operation has to be viable so I urge everyone to look at what you can recycle, get a blue recycling bag and start recycling.”

Blue recycling bags are available where-ever official blue rubbish bags are sold and the fortnightly collection takes:

All aluminium drink cans,
Glass bottles and jars
Plastic bottles with a number 1 - 7 stamped on the base. This has been extended from grades 1 and 2.
All newspapers, glossy magazines, junk mail, envelopes, writing paper, old phone books, egg cartons, corrugated cardboard, thin cardboard ie. cereal boxes.
Common food cans such as tinned fruit, soup, baked beans, cat food are all recyclable.
Bottles, containers and tins should be rinsed thoroughly before being put out for collection.

From Mangawhai to Ruawai the collection is every second Monday with the next on 17 November, then 1 and 15 December. However, Mangawhai will have a weekly recycling collection over holiday period, from Monday 1 December.

Dargaville’s recycling collection is every second Thursday with the next on 20 November, followed by 4 and 18 December.

Matthew Hayhurst says the collection arrangement is working well and thanks users for the way they have been preparing materials for collection.

He reminds Baylys Beach and Te Kopuru residents that recycling bags cannot be left on their streets. “They should use the cage near Kaihu River Bridge in Logan Street. But please, this is for recycling bags only.”

Kaipara Refuse Limited is keen to hear from anyone who can loan a shipping container for storing recyclables.