Recycling contamination

• Check what goes in your bin
• Check what can't go in your bin
• What happens if my bin is contaminated?
• Take the recycling test
• Frequently asked questions

What CAN go in your recycling bin

What CAN’T go in your recycling bin?

The following items are some of the most common contamination items found in recycling bins:

Even a small amount of contamination can cause recyclable material to be rejected and sent to landfill.

What happens if my bin is contaminated?

Recycling audits are carried out across the district to help reduce contamination and improve recycling quality.

If your recycling bin contains contaminated material, the action taken will depend on how severe it is.

Low-level contamination

If minor contamination is found:

• Your bin may receive a sticker or tag
• Your recycling may not be collected that week
• You may be asked to remove the incorrect items before the next collection

Extreme or repeated contamination

Bins with significant contamination or ongoing contamination issues may be removed from the property.

Examples of extreme contamination may include:

• Rubbish bags
• Nappies or medical waste
• Hazardous materials
• Animal waste
• Building waste

How do I get my bin back?

To have a removed recycling bin reinstated, residents will need to:

1. Complete the online recycling test
2. Pay the reinstatement fee

Once both steps are completed, the bin will be returned before the next scheduled recycling collection where possible.

Reinstatement fees

Yellow recycling bin:

• Until June 30, 2026: $98
• From July 1, 2026: $100

Blue recycling bin;

• Until June 30, 2026: $95
• From July 1, 2026: $98

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact us to discuss available payment options. The full fee must be paid before the bin can be returned. 

Take the recycling test

Not sure what goes in your recycling bin?

The recycling quiz is a quick and easy way to test your knowledge and learn what can and can’t be recycled in Waipā.

For people who have had bins removed due to contamination, completing the quiz is a requirement before the bin is returned.  It’s also a great tool for anyone wanting to brush up on their recycling knowledge.

Start the test

Frequently asked questions

Why is Waipā District Council taking a stronger approach to recycling contamination?

Recycling contamination costs Waipā ratepayers around $600,000 each year and means recyclable materials being sent to landfill.

Most residents are doing the right thing – recycling compliance has improved from 93 percent to 96 percent over the past year - but a small number of households placing incorrect items in recycling bins are causing most of the problem.

A stronger approach helps reduce costs, improves recycling quality, reduces recycling going to landfill and keeps staff safe.

Will I receive a warning before my bin is removed?

Where possible, yes, education and warning tags may be used first to help residents recycle correctly.

However, bins containing serious or hazardous contamination may be removed immediately due to health and safety risks to staff and the wider recycling process.

I have received a contaminated bin notification. How do I get my recycling bin back?

Contact us and we can talk you through why the bin was removed and how you can get it reinstated. This will include some recycling education and paying a reinstatement fee.

If you bin was removed in error, contact us and we can arrange to return it at no cost. 

Call us on 0800 924 723 or email us at info@waipadc.govt.nz.

What evidence do you have that my bin was contaminated?

Auditors take photographs and use body camera footage when carrying out recycling audits. This shows the bin contents, the location of the bin at the time of the audit, and the property it was collected from. You can request a copy of this information from us.

How much does it cost to get my recycling bin back?

A reinstatement fee depends on which bin was removed.

• For the 2025/26 year, $95 or $98
• For the 2026/27 year, $98 or $100 (from July 1, 2026)

How long will it take to get my bin back once I have paid the reinstatement fee?

We'll do our best to get your bin back to you within seven days, though in some cases it can take up to two weeks. 

Where will my recycling bin be placed when it is returned?

At the entrance of your property. It will include an address sticker, so it is correctly identified in future audits. We will contact you by letter or email before the bin is returned.

Will the returned recycling bin still contain the contaminated material?

No. Contaminated material will be disposed to landfill before the bin is returned. The reinstatement fee covers this cost.

Why has an address sticker been placed on the returned recycling bin?

Address stickers help clearly identify bins assigned to each property and reduce the risk of bins being confused or swapped with neighbouring properties.

I have moved into a property and there is no blue or yellow recycling bin. What do I do?

Call us on 0800 924 723 or email us at info@waipadc.govt.nz. We will check the whether the bin was previously removed and advise what’s needed to get one to you.

Will my recycling collection schedule change once my bin is returned?

No. Just put it out on your usual collection day.

I pay rates for this service, and you have no right to remove my recycling bin.

We understand it's frustrating. Waipā District Council has the authority to remove a recycling bin if it is not compliant with the Waipā District Council - Solid Waste Bylaw 2018 when contamination rules aren't met.

Have a read here: Waipā District Council Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2018 (pages 21 – 23). If you think your bin was removed in error, please contact us — we'll review the audit information and investigate. 

Call us on 0800 924 723 or email us at info@waipadc.govt.nz.

My neighbours regularly put contaminated items in their recycling bin, but they have not been audited. Why was my bin audited?

Recycling audits are carried out randomly, and not every bin on a street is checked on the same day. If you are concerned about a specific bin, you are welcome to contact us and request an audit.

Can I appeal or dispute the removal of my bin?

Yes. If you believe your bin was removed incorrectly, contact us. The contamination audit information will be reviewed and if the removal was incorrect, we’ll sort it out.

What if I cannot afford the return fee?

Please get in touch – we can talk through the situation. Flexible payment options may be available to help spread the cost over time. Please note the fee must be paid in full before the recycling bin can be returned.

Can I add the bin return fee onto my rates?

No. The fee cannot be added to your rates account, as it is a penalty fee relating to a breach of the recycling contamination rules.

Someone else put the wrong items in my bin. Am I still responsible?

Residents are responsible for what goes in bins at their property. If you believe someone else caused the contamination, let us know — we can look into it as part of the review process.

How can I avoid contamination in future?

A few simple habits help. You should:

• rinse containers
• keep recyclables loose (not in bags)
• avoid putting soft plastics or food waste 
• check Council’s recycling guide if unsure

What items are considered contamination?

Items that cannot go in the yellow recycling bin are considered contamination.

This includes:

• Food waste
• Soft plastics
• Nappies
• Clothing and textiles
• Batteries
• Hazardous waste
• Medical waste
• Animal waste
• Building materials
• Scrap metal

What do I do if I have a broken lid?

Broken lids can also stop a bin being collected as rain water contaminates the load and wets the contents, making the paper contents non-usable. Please report your broken lid for repairs.

Where do I place my bin?

Put it out on the kerb, with the Waipā District Council logo facing out. To allow the recycling truck to lift the bin safely, please leave one bin space between bins, or objects, such as trees and light poles. Try not to park in front of the recycling bins because it may stop them from being picked up.

How do you know it’s my bin?

We encourage people to put their address on their bins (with a permanent marker, on the right side of the bin).