The Gore District Council will accept only glass jars and bottles in its yellow recycling wheelie bins from the end of next month.

The changes are part of a review undertaken after the council decided against renewing its recycling processing contract with Southland disAbility Enterprises Ltd (SdE), which runs out on June 30.

From June 29, Gore district residents will be asked to dispose of all other household waste – including plastic, paper and steel cans that were previously collected for recycling – in their red wheelie bins, which are send to the Southland Regional Landfill at Kings Bend, near Winton. The collected glass will be stored locally in bunkers and be crushed, after which options for selling and/or reusing it will be sought.

GDC Transport Manager Peter Standring said ending the relationship with SdE had given the council the opportunity to rethink its recycling services.

The Gore District generates about 800 tonnes of recycling a year. Glass makes up the majority at 40% or 317 tonnes. About 42% (285 tonnes) is cardboard and paper, 7% (49 tonnes) plastic and 4% (24 tonnes) metal.

Mr Standring said the council appreciated recycling had become well established since it was introduced eight years ago.

However, significant changes to global markets in recent years and the COVID-19 pandemic had further heightened concerns about the viability and sustainability of recycling, especially in relation to plastics and paper.

“It would be fair to say the global markets are in disarray. There are no longer identifiable markets for New Zealand’s plastic and mixed paper with the likes of China and India closing their borders to us,” he said.

To stockpile these products above ground was not desirable from an environmental perspective, nor was it fiscally responsible or efficient, Mr Standring said.

Drop off bins would be set up at the Gore transfer station and in Mataura for cardboard, which would continue to be recycled by Pakeke Lions. However, with a tightening of overseas markets, cardboard could also eventually end up in the landfill or stockpiled, he said.

An aluminium can bank will be available at the Gore Transfer Station.

In another change, the waiving of fees for disposing of green waste that was initiated under COVID-19 Alert level 3, will continue through to the new service starting on June 29.

Green waste is mulched and used as landfill cover. Anything that can be chipped will be processed and used by parks and reserves staff for public gardens.

Mr Standring acknowledged there might be some concerns about the capacity of the home red rubbish bins, given plastics, paper and cans were being added to the mix.

“Just as importantly, we now have the opportunity to increase public awareness and education around waste minimisation.”

The council is working in collaboration with WasteNet Southland on waste reduction initiatives for the district.

“Allowing free disposal of green waste at the transfer station should alleviate any issues. It would be good to think people will also become a bit more serious about waste minimisation.”

Residents with 80-litre bins will have the option of paying extra for a larger bin if they need one. Apart from that, there were no additional costs to residents as a result of the new service, he said.

Residents are urged to continue with their current recycling regime, as the contents of the yellow bins will still be sent to SdE’s recycling centre until the new services starts on June 29.

The Southland District Council has also not renewed its recycling contract with SdE but it has yet to announce how it plans to deal with kerbside recycling from the end of next month.