Whanganui’s kerbside recycling system

We introduced a kerbside recycling service for most households in the city in July 2024.

While the service has seen strong uptake (with around two-thirds of eligible households participating) some aspects of the system continue to generate questions. 

One of the most common topics raised is the use of three open-topped recycling crates rather than wheelie bins, particularly in relation to recycling being blown around on windy collection days. 

Why Whanganui uses crates instead of wheelie bins 

One of the questions we often hear about the recycling service is: “Why can’t we have wheelie bins like [insert town here]?” 

While some people understandably find wheelie bins more convenient, it’s important to understand why Whanganui chose a crate-based system.

With our system, the crates are open-topped – meaning collectors can quickly spot non-recyclable items (contamination) before they enter the truck. Because of this, we have very little contamination in our recycling. In other words, we’re collecting only the right things.

In contrast, with wheelie bins, incorrect items are much harder to spot as they tend to be hidden inside the bin. In most districts with wheelie-bin systems, contamination rates are commonly around 30 percent. That means more material goes to landfill and much of the point of recycling is undermined.

High contamination is the single biggest recycling problem for councils around Aotearoa. But that’s not an issue here in Whanganui. We have clean, highly valuable recycling that recycling facilities can easily process.  This is thanks to our residents using their crates correctly and our collection team checking for incorrect items. 

Wheelie-bin systems generally cost more. Studies have consistently found that co-mingled recycling systems involve higher sorting costs, higher contamination costs, and more expensive collection infrastructure. These systems typically require specialised side-loader trucks and large-scale sorting facilities. We estimate that shifting Whanganui to a fully co-mingled wheelie-bin recycling system would cost somewhere in the order of $4 million. 

Another common concern is the size of the crates, compared with wheelie bins. However, most wheelie-bin recycling systems around New Zealand provide either a 120-litre bin collected weekly, or a 240-litre bin collected fortnightly (i.e. 120L weekly). 

Whanganui households currently receive three 45-litre recycling crates collected every week – providing a total recycling capacity of 135 litres weekly. 

But what about the wind issue? 

Having open-topped crates is a major strength in terms of preventing contamination – but it does make the system more susceptible to wind.

We recognise that wind-blown recycling is a legitimate problem that needs addressing – so later this year we’ll be providing recycling crate nets to all households in the kerbside recycling area.

The nets are designed to keep recyclables securely in the crates while still allowing collection crews to visually identify contamination.  

The decision follows an eight-week trial involving around 1,000 households on selected wind-prone streets across Whanganui. Through a post-trial survey, we received strong positive feedback from participating households and collection crews.

The nets are designed to be tethered directly to the crate so they remain attached during windy conditions and cannot easily blow away themselves. Each household will receive two nets – to be used for the plastic & cans crate and the paper & cardboard crate. Glass crates do not require nets. 

The recycling nets are being funded through the government’s national waste disposal levy – not local rates. 

For more information on recycling, visit: Kerbside recycling Whanganui District Council