Sick of wind-blown recycling? We’ve got you covered

Published on 05 October 2026

Households across Whanganui’s kerbside recycling area will soon receive two recycling crate nets, with the roll out starting Monday 5 October to help ensure recycling stays put on windy days. 
 
The nets are funded through the national waste disposal levy, not rates. 
 
They will be delivered over the following four weeks, along with a recycling refresher guide with tips on using the nets and recycling correctly. 
 
Cr Rob Vinsen says the wind-blown recycling has been one of the main issues raised by residents since the kerbside recycling service began. 
 
“The three-crate system was chosen deliberately because the visibility offered by open crates allows collectors to identify incorrect items before they contaminate the entire load. 
 
“That approach is working well. Contamination is close to zero, making Whanganui’s recycling some of the cleanest in New Zealand. However, the trade-off is that open crates are more exposed to wind – which has clearly caused issues. 
 
“The good news is that we now have a solution. The nets give us the best of both worlds: low contamination and a practical way to keep recycling contained in the wind.” 
 
The rollout follows an eight-week trial involving around 1000 households earlier this year. Of the households that responded to the trial survey, 99% said the nets stopped recycling blowing out of their crates and 87% found them easy to install. 
 
The trial also suggested the nets could encourage greater use of the service, with 31% of respondents saying they recycled more often because of the nets. 
 
Each household will receive two nets: one for their plastics and cans crate and one for their paper and cardboard crate. 
 
The nets are designed to be attached permanently to the narrow end of each crate using the cord and fittings provided. Installation is straightforward but requires drilling a 10mm hole in the crate. Once installed, the net remains attached when the crate is emptied. 
 
Step-by-step instructions will be delivered with the nets. An installation video and further guidance will also be available at whanganui.govt.nz/recycling  

 
Residents who do not have access to a drill or need help with installation can take their crates and nets to the Whanganui Resource Recovery Centre or contact the council on 06 349 0001 for assistance.