Contents and preparation - wheelie bins and crates

Over the past 12 months Council has introduced changes to our household recycling. Contamination levels have decreased significantly and this is a credit to South Waikato householders.

From Monday 6 September:

• Recycled items including clean plastics (1s and 2s only), tins, cans, cardboard and paper go in the 240L wheelie bin (yellow lid).
• Other household rubbish goes in the 120L wheelie bin (red lid).
• The existing green and maroon crates will now be for glass ONLY.

Product care

• All products must be clean. Plastic, glass and tins rinsed/washed AND cardboard (food packaging) free from food scraps.
• No lids, caps, tops (including bottle tops and tin lids).
• Only plastics 1s and 2s are acceptable. All other plastics must go in the rubbish. Look for the recycling symbol.
• See below for more DOs and DON'Ts. These will be covered in the information booklet that is delivered with your bins and there is a decal (image) on the bin lids to assist further.

Please care about how you prepare your recycling. If your bin/crates are contaminated, it can contaminate an entire truck load. That means everyone else's efforts are wasted.

Sewer system

Sewer blockages can occur when the lines are clogged with a build-up of fats, oil and greases (known as FOG). These blockages are key problems that damage infrastructure and can affect public health.

For this reason, FOG should NOT be disposed of down the drain.

Household chemicals, waste motor oil, solvents and gasoline.

These items must be properly disposed of, incorrect disposal can result in explosive or toxic situations, causing damage to residential plumbing and public sewer systems.

Disposing of solvents/gasoline onto the property can result in seepage into residential sump pits/weeping tiles creating a potentially explosive environment within the home.

Never endanger your family members or neighbours by pouring flammable liquids down a drain, sewer or onto the property. For this reason, those should NOT be disposed of down the drain

Household liquids (fats, oils & grease).

Household liquids, oils, greases and fats can not only cause problems for your home's plumbing, but also the sewer collection system.

Grease blockages in the sewer system threaten damage to homes, create health hazards and degrade our environment.

Where do household liquids (fats, oils and grease) come from?

Household FOG occurs as a result of cooking/preparing foods in our kitchen. They can be found in items such as: meat fats, butter/margarine, lard/shortening, cooking oil and some baking goods.

Sanitary sewers

Sanitary sewers are connected to your kitchen/bathroom sinks, dishwasher, floor drains and toilets. These sewers carry waste and wastewater to the treatment plant for treatment before going into a river or stream. Small amounts of solids, grease and detergents are allowed down the sanitary sewer.

Your responsibilities

• Clean up grease and liquid spills using cat litter, paper towels, wrap securely and place it into bin.
• Dispose of all food scraps and grease solids into the garbage, not the sink drain or toilet.
• Never pour solvents/gasoline down the drains, sewers or onto the ground outside.
• Teach your family members in good environmental practices.
• Utilise Household Hazardous Waste facility at the transfer stations (paints, waste solvents, oils and old gasoline).