Did you know that every year, 12.59 million tonnes of waste is sent to landfills in New Zealand? Of which Auckland is responsible for 1.6 million tonnes!

That’s because most of the time, we end up simply throwing things into the trash can without properly disposing of them. 

Aside from having to take the trash outside, we know little about waste management and rubbish removal in Auckland. A fair amount of household waste can actually be used productively (recycled, re-used etc.). The reason it’s not repurposed is because of a lack of information regarding how waste is removed and what to do with different types of waste.

To help clear this all up, we’ve broken down the process and important information on rubbish removal in Auckland.

How Rubbish Is Collected

First things first, before figuring out how to segregate rubbish at home, it’s important to understand how it is collected. 

Your local council or authorities arrange waste collection systems in each area, but there are also professional junk removal companies who carry out this job too. 

You can check with your local council or a company that you hire what their modes of collecting waste are (whether you can place a bin outside or if you need to pre-purchase bin bags) and where you can get the items you may need. 

Types Of Waste And How To Segregate Them

Usually, all rubbish collecting system methods use a colour-coded system to differentiate between different types of waste. 

Green – Organic waste

Organics refers to any food or garden waste. This includes fruit and vegetable peels, soil, leftovers, food waste, etc. This type of waste can be broken down naturally and does not cause any harm to the environment. 

Yellow – Recyclable waste

A lot of household waste is recyclable. Aside from cardboard and paper, some food containers and certain types of packaging can be recycled. Today, there are plenty of recyclable materials (even when they don’t seem to be), so be careful! All you need to do is check if the item has a recycling symbol and dispose of it accordingly. 

By recycling these items, you’re doing the environment and yourself a favour! 

Red – General waste

This includes items that cannot be recycled or composted ex: plastics, sanitary products, diapers, aluminium containers and even your dog waste and kitty litter!

While it may seem that you can throw practically any type of rubbish into your general waste bins, there are some items that you should exclude from your red bins. This is because either these items are toxic to the environment or are simply too large for your local council to remove without prior knowledge. 

A few of these items include:

  • Hot ashes
  • Medical waste 
  • Building material
  • Large household items – like sofas
  • Chemicals and hazardous items.

For more information on rubbish removal in Auckland and what you should do to get rid of different types of waste, click here!

How Much Waste Collection Costs

Waste collection costs – and the things you’ll need depend on where you live. 

For instance, wheelie bins cannot be used for rubbish removal in the Auckland city centre. However, there is a special bag collection provision for these areas. Then, the costs depend on whether you’re signing up for a new waste service. 

The annual charge for a new waste service (recycling and rubbish bins) is pro-rated monthly – depending on the date the service was ordered. 

If you’re considering professional help, then the costs somewhat depend on the following: 

  • The type of rubbish

If it’s general, organic, hazardous and so on. 

  • The amount of rubbish 

This one is pretty obvious; the amount of waste you have determines how much manpower and how many trips the service will have to provide. So the more waste, the higher the cost. 

  • Where you live and permits required in your area: 

Apart from how much the service must travel to your home, it is also important to figure out how far you live from recycling and disposal centres. 

How You Can Generate Less Waste

If you’re sick of seeing your bin bags fill up really quickly or feeling like you’re throwing out way more than you should be, then hear us out! 

There are plenty of ways to reduce the amount of rubbish generated in your home. Not only is this great for the environment, but it will also significantly reduce your rubbish removal costs in Auckland!

Here are a few helpful points: 

  • Minimise the use of single-use plastics and other materials. 
  • Repurpose any containers or recyclable materials you may have.
  • Cut down on food waste (especially by throwing out leftovers and over-purchasing groceries). 
  • Compost organic material and use it in your garden.
  • Mowing your lawn efficiently and leaving grass clippings on your lawn to help nourish the soil and reduce your garden waste!

Finding Junk Removal Services In Auckland

It’s pretty simple to find and book a professional service to help you eliminate your rubbish. 

Usually, most services will help you:

  • Get rid of various types of waste. 
  • Help you remove large items of furniture or move items that cannot be picked up curbside. 
  • Figure out how best to repurpose items. 
  • If certain items being disposed of can be re-used elsewhere, they will take them to those locations instead of simply chucking them into a landfill. 

For instance, NexDo’s rubbish removal services include: 

  • Furniture removal

Furniture like couches, beds, tables, cabinets, shelves etc., cannot be removed easily. Our prices range between $60 – $120 for furniture, including king-sized mattresses!

  • Appliances and electronics

Up to a maximum of &160 for these items

  • E-Waste

E-waste includes computers, TVs, printers and laptops. 

Our e-waste removal services are priced between $20 – $55 only!

  • BBQ & gas bottles

Up to a maximum of $80, and we cover trampoline removals too! 

  • Vehicle waste

We can help you get rid of vehicle tyres and car batteries for only a maximum of $40!

  • General rubbish

From bin bags to garden bags – weighing up to 100 kgs, our service costs range from $7 – $140!