Green waste bins won’t be rolled in in the Ashburton District in September because they don’t have the bins to roll out.
By Jonathan Leask of Local Democracy Reporting
Ashburton District Council announced this week that a global supply shortage of resin, used in manufacturing the plastic wheelie bins, will delay the rollout of the food and garden organic kerbside collection service.
The council had ordered 12,500 bins which were scheduled to be delivered to households from July for the service to begin from September 1.
The conflict in the Middle East has dramatically affected the availability and cost of petrochemical products used in the production of wide range of plastic goods.
Council infrastructure group manager Neil McCann said the 12,500 bins were ordered from a New Zealand manufacturer, who was dependent on imported resin as well as recycled plastic.
“We’ve been working very closely with our supplier and exploring alternative options, but this issue is affecting many manufacturers and organisations, including other councils planning to introduce organic services.
“The reality is that New Zealand is at the end of global supply chains, and when materials are limited, larger markets tend to be prioritised.”
The council is legally required to strike rates for 2026/27 on July 1 so is working the rate impacts into the draft Annual Plan for adoption on the June 17.
Most of the costs have already been incurred and will still need to be covered, he said.
“[Green bin service] is just one part of the overall waste collection and management service, and we also need to start dealing with the other cost escalations, such as fuel, anticipated in this year’s operation.”
Ashburton Mayor Liz McMillan said the delay is frustrating and the council remains committed to delivering the green bin service.
“Unfortunately, we can’t confirm the new start date for the [green bin] service at this stage, but we’ll update the community as soon as the supply situation becomes clearer.
“This delay is disappointing, but we’re doing everything we can to introduce the organics collection as soon as possible. Our current kerbside services continue as normal.”
The community has been asking for green bins service for years and there was strong support from submitters for introducing it in the last long-term plan, McMillan said.
Aside from the delay on the bins, preparations for introducing the new service is progressing well, she said.
New collection trucks have been ordered and are due to arrive in the district soon and construction of a holding area for organic material at the Ashburton Resource Recovery Park is getting underway she said.
Council’s new contractor, WasteCo will begin delivering the district’s solid waste services as part of a $40 million nine-year contract from September 1.
Local Democracy Reporting is local-body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
SHARE ME