Get it right on bin day
Reducing how much we send to landfill starts with using our Auckland Council rubbish, recycling and rukenga kai (food scraps) bins in the right way.
EcoMatters is partnering with Auckland Council to help people understand changes to their waste services and how to get the most from your Auckland Council bin family.
Your recycling bin
What you can recycle is now the same right around Aotearoa, to make it easier for everyone.
YES – keep putting these in
These items go in your recycling bin:
- glass bottles and jars
- plastic bottle and containers (1, 2 and 5 only)
- cardboard, paper
- steel, tin and aluminium cans.
You can check the recycling code on the bottom of plastic items to make sure they’re either 1, 2 or 5. Remember, they must be thoroughly rinsed out and clean before you place them in your recycling bin.
Don’t put lids or caps of any type or size, plastic or metal, in your recycling bin. EcoMatters is a drop-off point for these items now. Find out more on our recycling page.
Find out more about the Auckland Council recycling collection.
Your rukenga kai (food scraps) bin
All Aucklanders should now have a rukenga kai (food scraps) bin to help them reduce how much rubbish goes to landfill. When food scraps go to landfill it produces methane and CO2, which are harmful greenhouse gases.
Food scraps that go into the rukenga kai bin are turned into clean energy and fertiliser at a special plant in the Waikato, so more kai can be grown. Learn more in this short video.
Find out more about the Auckland Council food scraps collection.
talk with our team
You may see our engagement advisors out and about helping Aucklanders understand more about how to best use their Auckland Council bins. If you do, come over, say kia ora and talk rubbish with our team.
Useful links
How to get rid of unwanted items
EcoMatters accepts a range of recyclable items. Or you can donate unwanted bikes to one of our bike hubs.
For other options, check Auckland Council’s guide to getting rid of unwanted items here.
Test your recycling knowledge with the online Recycle Right quiz. Are you a recycling legend?
Visit Waste Nothing to learn more about Auckland Council’s journey towards its aspirational goal of zero waste by 2040.
kia ora and THANKs to
