Free disposal waste chits formalised

Community groups will continue to be able to request transfer station chits from Council, however the costs will need to be formally factored into future Annual Plan budgets.

At the meeting (Wednesday 26 June 2024) the Central Otago District Council considered a report about proposed changes for issuing the chits for free disposal of waste.

Since 2018, Council has offered chits for free disposal of general waste and greenwaste to community groups cleaning up litter, illegal dumping and clearing vegetation from public places throughout the district, and to residents who have advised Council of issues with their wheelie bin collection which has been a result of contractor error or with items being stuck inside their bin during collection.

There has been a significant rise in the disposal costs for general waste and greenwaste, with general waste increasing by $180 per tonne over the last six years, and all loads of greenwaste now being charged for from the 2023/24 financial year, CODC Solid Waste Team Leader Lauren Hunter said.

“Council wants to continue its support of community clean-ups but we need to formalise the process to ensure that budgets can cope with future requests from the community.”

Chits will now be issued to community groups at a capped rate of 1 tonne of general waste or 1 tonne of greenwaste per group per financial year through the Council’s Waste team. In the case of wheelie bin chits, associated costs are factored into rates for kerbside collection services.