First Wakatipu Kerbside collection in sight

Labour Day Monday will mark the start of the first kerbside collection in the Wakatipu.


“From Monday people will be able to put their recycling out on the same day as their normal rubbish collection. As the first day falls on a Monday, Arrowtown and the surrounding area will have the honour of being the first to kerbside recycle,” Queenstown Lakes District Council solid waste advisor Dr Linda Wright said.


Despite the temptation to put loads of recycling on the kerbside - “I know people have been stockpiling and good for them,” - but the contractor would only be able to accommodate the full wheelie bins.


“Please, please, don’t leave piles beside or on top of the wheelie bin, just deplete your stockpile over time, otherwise the contractors will be swamped,” Dr Wright said.


People were also reminded to be careful about not ‘contaminating’ the recycling.


“Everything needs to be clean and definitely no gladwrap or plastic bags or broken glass or food contaminated cardboard or foil lined juice cartons,” she said.


People also needed to get used to the message that tins and plastic bottles should be washed but not squashed.


“It’s an automated sorting system and it works more effectively if the articles are not squashed,” Dr Wright said.


Finally, as with the rubbish collection, wheelie bins needed to be on the kerb by 8am.


Anyone yet to receive their wheelie bin should now call the council.