Changes to Rubbish and Recycling

When do I put my bins out?

Check the address search tool to find out which bins to put out and when your next collection day is.

What if I want to change bin size?

If you wish to change the bin size you received or sign up to our green waste service, please contact us to arrange for a change in service. Please note that a service charge may apply to any changes made.

Is there a wheel out/in service available?

If you have a disability or face mobility challenges and you have no one else to help you with this, we offer a wheel out/in service where the service provider will handle your bins. Please contact us if you require this service.

What about my existing green recycling crate?

Since 1 July only the new blue crates are used for glass collection. The green recycling crates belong to you and you may like to repurpose them. For example, they could be used as planter boxes or for garden storage.

If you don't want to keep them we'll pick them up and recycle them. More details on this option will be made available.

How does it work?

Weekly rubbish

Each residential property should now have a red-lid 120-litre, 80-litre, or 240-litre wheelie bin, depending on whether the property owner made a selection earlier this year.

Fortnightly recycling

Each residential property should now have a yellow-lid wheelie bin for paper, cardboard, plastic containers, and tin cans, and a blue 45-litre crate for glass.

Optional green waste

Some property owners have opted-in to our four-weekly garden waste service will have received a green-lid 240-litre wheelie bin (this is only for garden waste, not food waste).

How much does it cost?

Our service is paid for via targeted rates. The rates will differ, depending on the rubbish bin size selected, and whether the property owner has opted-in to our green waste service.  

These costs include GST and will appear on the rates bill for 2021/22.

Why did these changes happen?

We’re on the move to a sustainable future. 

We’ve got to care more about producing less waste, recycling more, reducing our carbon emissions and making a difference to the future of our city and environment.

Council rubbish and recycling services had not changed for almost 20 years in Lower Hutt. We needed a modern service that is environmentally-friendly and easier for more people to use.

Some of the benefits of the new rubbish and recycling service

• Lowering emissions: There will be fewer trucks on our streets and they will be 100% electric.  The new rubbish and recycling fleet will be 100% electric by 2024. Emissions are also lowered just by having fewer vehicles servicing the same area.
• Making people safer: Changing from rubbish bags to wheelie bins will improve health and safety and working conditions for those people who collect our rubbish, by reducing injuries caused by things like sharp objects jutting out of rubbish bags.
• Increasing and creating easier recycling: Bigger recycling bins means that households can recycle more.
• In many cases, the new service will save you money: If you used our rubbish bags previously, and you used one or more bags per week, then the new service is cheaper for you.
• Reducing wind-blown litter: The new wheelie bins are fitted with lid-latches to avoid waste becoming litter, especially on windy days.
• Paying the Living Wage: Our contract pays the living wage to staff employed to collect rubbish and recycling.
• Protecting recyclable materials: Bins with lids protect recyclables from rain, and by collecting glass separately we can protect the value of other recyclables, especially paper and cardboard.

More information

• Check out our Frequently Asked Questions