New Wheelie Bin

As of this week, residents can subscribe to a new, community-owned, wheelie bin service in the Queenstown Lakes District, QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy said.

“This forms part of the new service that we consulted on through the 10-Year-Plan that was based on community feedback that our residents wanted some options around the rubbish service,’ Mr Borowy said.

The new service meant that households were able to choose from five options, according to which option was the best fit.

“And also to allow our community to be rewarded for choosing to contribute to the district’s target to reduce waste to landfill by 50%,” Mr Borowy said.
The options ranged from making no rubbish and therefore paying nothing for either blue bags or a wheelie bin through to hiring a private 240l wheelie bin.

“The 60l blue bag option remains but we will introduce two new options from October,’ he said.
There would be a smaller and less expensive blue bag (30l) and a new community owned 120l wheelie bin.
“The cost of hiring the 120l wheelie bin is $200 a year, as compared with a privately hired 240l wheelie bin at the cost of $347. So the new service is cheaper and better for the landfill and the environment,” Mr Borowy said.
Customer services advisors at the council were accepting subscriptions for the new wheelie bin service from this week.

“All you need to do is either, call in and see us at the council, or ring or email and the new service will commence from October,” Mr Borowy said.

Council had taken delivery of the first two bins, which features a 50% reduction target on a bright red lid with the message to reduce, reuse and recycle emblazoned on the side.
“We have created the options and it will be up to the community how they put these options to use,” he said.

For example a family may choose to opt for the new 120l wheelie bin but only put it out for collection once a month, another household might prefer a 30l blue bag but only fill it over a period of two weeks.

“It’s entirely up to the individual but our hope is, and certainly the message we have received from our communities, is that there is a growing awareness that we have to reduce the amount of rubbish that goes to landfill,” Mr Borowy said.
Option Cost
No rubbish No cost
30 litre blue bag $2 bag
60 litre blue bag $3 bag
120 litre wheelie bin (community service) $200 per year
240 litre wheelie bin (private service) $347

Attached: QLDC solid waste manager Stefan Borowy delighted with the new community-owned wheelie bin.