2016 will see the dawn of a new year but also a new recycling system as Nelson follows in the footsteps of the Tasman district.
The way recycling is to be collected in Nelson is set to change in 2016 to a cleaner, safer wheelie bin system.
In 2015, in response to changes to Health and Safety requirements and following ratepayer requests, Council reviewed its kerbside recycling collection services.
This review recommended that the collection methodology change to a wheelie bin system for co-mingled recycling (plastics, metal cans, tins, paper and light cardboard) whilst retaining the blue crate system for glass. Council has agreed to this change.
Under the new collection methodology, Council will supply each household with a new wheelie bin. This will cost an estimated $1.1 million. This cost will be recovered by way of a charge of $10 per household per year over 10 years. The new bin stays with the property.
The next stage in the process involves Council engaging with residents on bin size preference, either a 240-litre bin or a 120-litre bin. Feedback from around the country shows a preference for the larger bins, with the greater capacity encouraging more recycling. The larger bins are also more cost effective as they don’t need to be emptied so often.
An opportunity will be made for ratepayers to indicate their preference of bin size by the end of January 2016. This can be done online at Nelson.govt.nz – search “Wheelie Bin” or at the Customer Service Centre.
Mayor Rachel Reese says that the change to the recycling system will be positive for Nelson ratepayers.
“I know people have been asking for this for a while, so it’s heartening to see Council take that on board and make these changes. It’s also good to see health and safety concerns taken care of in a pro-active manner. This is a proven system which should serve Nelson well into the future.”
“This move is another step in our ongoing commitment to recycling and reducing waste that goes to our landfill.”
The change is expected to occur in 2016. Frequency of collection is still to be decided. There will be no change to the recycling drop-off at the Pascoe Street Recycling Centre.
