Ensuring that waste is managed and disposed of responsibly

Set of wheelie bins - green for organics, red for rubbish and yellow for recycling.Waste disposal takes many forms including direct discharge to land or water, and sludge disposal. Such wastes need to be managed in such a way that the adverse effects are minimised to protect the environment and human health.

Community and Public Health works with local and regional councils to ensure that both solid and liquid waste is disposed of in healthy manner to prevent:

  • chemicals and pathogens contaminating drinking water;
  • contamination of soil by heavy metals from industrial processes and surface runoff;
  • creating favourable environments for disease-causing bacteria and viruses including bioaerosols;
  • unpleasant or harmful odour problems; and
  • unfavourable effects on Māori cultural values since they place high value on their land and water.

The Medical Officer of Health and Health Protection Officers have specific powers under the Waste Management and Minimisation Act 2008:

  • Councils are legally required to consult with the Medical Officer of Health when preparing a Waste Management and Minimisation plan (Section 51); and
  • Health Protection Officers have powers to serve notice on a Council to abate a waste nuisance (Section 55).

Waste reduction is something where we can all make a tangible difference – whether it is reducing single use plastic, recycling materials we use and using less disposable materials that end up in landfills.

Waste free future: Reduce, reuse and recycle. Source: Ministry for the Environment.

Dealing with liquid waste products

The primary sources for liquid waste are:

  • septic tanks from residential properties,
  • reticulated wastewater systems including Wastewater Treatment Plants; and
  • disposal of oils, fats and sludge from Offensive Trades such as fish cleaning, rubbish collecting and stock yards.

Download an information sheet on the impact of urban waste pollution on local waterways, including stormwater and sewage overflows [237KB PDF].

Contact your local council for more information on waste water:

Dealing with solid waste including recycling

The primary sources of solid waste are domestic, commercial and industrial waste from processes and packaging, demolition material and organic materials.

Rubbish collection and disposal is primarily the responsibility of district and regional councils under the Local Government Act 2002 and the Resource Management Act 1991.

Contact your local council for more information on rubbish and recycling:

Documents

Links

Contact your local office for further information:

CANTERBURY, MID CANTERBURY AND CHATHAM ISLANDS
Ph: +64 3 364 1777

SOUTH CANTERBURY
Ph: +64 3 687 2600

WEST COAST
Ph: +64 3 768 1160

Scheme to reduce tyre waste now running

New Zealand’s first national tyre recycling scheme is now fully operational with free collections, says Environment Minister Penny Simmonds.

“Every year, New Zealand imports around 6.5 million tyres. Only about 40 per cent of these are recycled, reprocessed or exported.

“The remainder often end up in landfills, stockpiles, or are illegally dumped. This not only wastes a valuable resource, but it also places a heavy burden on local communities and councils who are usually left to handle the cleanup. This will change under the new scheme.”

The new product stewardship scheme is called Tyrewise. It will see will see end-of-life tyres collected, processed and turned into new products.

Members of the public can also dispose of up to five worn-out tyres per day, for free, at registered public collection sites around the country.

Tyrewise aims to double the proportion of tyres being repurposed over time. Its target is to have 80 per cent of tyres repurposed by 2028 and over 90 per cent by 2030.

The scheme is funded through a tyre stewardship fee which is built into the cost of new imported tyres sold from retailers since 1st March 2024. The fee varies depending on the type and weight of tyre and will cover tyre collection and transportation.

Government takes action on problem plastics

The Government is phasing out problem plastics in three stages. The following items were banned in phases one and two:

  • Single-use plastic produce bags;
  • Single-use plastic drinking straws – only disabled people and those with health needs will be able to access them;
  • Single-use plastic tableware and cutlery;
  • Plastic produce labels – the fruit and vegetable industry is working towards a home compostable version;
  • Single-use plastic drink stirrers;
  • Single-use plastic cotton buds;
  • Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pre-formed food trays and containers;
  • Polystyrene takeaway packaging for food and beverages;
  • Expanded polystyrene food and beverage retail packaging (such as foam takeaway containers or some instant noodle cups); and
  • Plastics with additives that make them fragment into micro-plastics.

Other PVC and polystyrene food and beverage packaging will be banned from mid-2025 – in phase 3.

Infographic showing plastic items and materials being phased out across three phases in New Zealand. Source: Ministry for the Environment.

How to live more sustainably

Waste management is a major challenge in NZ as three quarters of our waste that is sent to landfill is recoverable.

We can show love for our environment and our planet by living as waste-free as possible. We can also waste less money in the process!

Get more information on how to live waste free (Recycle NZ).

Learn some ways to support the environment wherever you are (Ministry for the Environment).

Page last updated: 12/05/2025

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