Wheelie bin rollout in April

New red and yellow-lidded wheelie bins are about to arrive throughout Southland. Southland District Council water and waste asset manager Ian Evans said work is progressing well on the new rubbish and recycling two-bin collection service and the new bins are about to start being delivered from early April. The new service will provide properties with two new 240 litre bins, one (red lid) for rubbish and one (yellow lid) for recycling. The red bin will be emptied every fortnight and the yellow bin every alternative fortnight. .

The cost of the new service, although not yet finalised, is likely to be $231 plus GST, which is slightly less than Council previously anticipated because more people have chosen to have the two bins. This cost is not additional to what is paid now, rather it replaces the current charge, in the same way the two new bins replace the current bin, Mr Evans said.

The new bins will be delivered during the month of April and Council is encouraging landlords to tell their tenants about the new service.

"As the current service continues up until the last week in April we are also telling people not to put the new bins out for collection until the week starting 2 May. and we are sending everyone information about delivery days and whether their first week is recycling or rubbish collection," he said.

"As a few collection days have changed we have sent everyone a comprehensive list of all areas which details collection arrangements for the first month. It is important that everyone checks the list so as they know when to put their bin out," he said.

Those receiving the new service will have recently received a letter outlining these arrangements. Further information will also be delivered with the new bins. This will include a brochure with details on what can and can't go in each bin and a calendar to remind people which bin to put out.

Arrangements are also being made for the collection of the current wheelie bins, which belong to Northern Southland Transport Holdings. These bins will be collected during the last week of the current service (25-29 April).

The service is being administered through Wastenet, a shared service arrangement between Southland and Gore District Councils and Invercargill City Council.

Residents are being encouraged to contact Council on 0800 732 732 if they have any queries or visit www.wastenet.org.nz