Te Ākau Recycling Service
Thanks to the awesome mahi of our Te Ākau community, we’ve achieved something big: the monthly recycling drop-off service will now start two years earlier than planned!
Earlier this year, a recycling survey was conducted, with an overwhelming 66 responses received from our community. The feedback collected was used to inform a submission for a long-term recycling service in the Waikato District Council’s 2025–2034 Long Term Plan. You can read this submission here.
This will be the first-ever recycling drop-off service for Te Ākau and the surrounding areas.
The first two years of the service will be fully funded by the Waste Minimisation Fund. After that, Te Ākau residents will see a targeted rate on their rates invoices to keep the service going.
Waikato District Council Deputy Service Delivery GM, Anthony Averill, says moving the start date forward is a testament to the community’s commitment to reducing waste:
“This service is something the community really wants and has advocated for. We’re delighted to bring it forward by two years. This shows that when council and the community work together, great things can happen.”
What you need to know:
When and where:
The monthly drop-offs will be between 8:30am and 12:30pm on third Saturday of each month
First drop-off: Saturday, 16 August
Ongoing: Every 3rd Saturday of the month
Location: Te Ākau Hall carpark (next to the school) 953 Te Ākau Road.
What to bring for recycling:
Plastics – plastic containers, bottles and trays with the numbers 1, 2 or 5 inside the recycling symbol.
Glass – bottles and jars.
Metal – food tins and drink cans.
Paper and cardboard – flattened boxes and papers.
Do not bring:
Recycling from garden shed/garage/agrichemical products (we can only take household recycling).
Containers larger than 4L
Soft plastics
Preparing your recycling:
Remove lids from containers and bottles, triggers and pumps,
Rinse all plastics, tins, cans and glass, and remove any food scraps from pizza boxes etc.
Separate your recycling into types: glass, paper and mixed plastics and cans (plastics and cans can be co-mingled).
Bring your recycling in: cardboard boxes, tubs, feed bags. Just make sure the weight of each container is less than 15kg.
On drop-off day:
Enter the site where the flag is and proceed at 10km/hr to the recycling truck.
There is a one-way direction of vehicles for the service.
Park, switch off your engine and apply your hand break before unloading your recycling containers.
Our contractors will tip your recycling into the truck bays and hand back your containers once emptied.
Please remain behind the temporary barriers and follow our contractor instructions at all times.
Only one vehicle can unload at a time. If there is a queue of vehicles please remain in your vehicle until your turn.
Once unloaded, continue through the carpark and leave via either exit.
If you would like further information you can read more on Waikato District Council’s website here
