Waste and recycling

Waste disposal

Type of waste

Plastic bottles - waste

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There are two different types of waste - domestic and commercial. That waste is generally composed of:

  • organic waste
  • potentially hazardous waste
  • construction and demolition waste
  • paper
  • plastics
  • glass
  • metals.

Waste disposal methods

Most of the region's waste goes into privately owned landfill sites, with quarantine and medical waste being incinerated.

Waste transfer stations

Transfer stations are used by the public, and also smaller rubbish companies. The refuse is collected in a pit, sometimes lined with concrete, and is compacted prior to transportation then disposed in a landfill. In the Auckland region, organic waste is separated and sent to a commercial composting facility.

Influences on waste volumes

Traditionally waste volumes tend to increase when the economy is buoyant, and decrease when the economy is depressed. Volumes are also influenced by increases in the population.

Waste strategies and documents

There are a number of documents that aim to manage and regulate the region's waste:

  • Waste Management in the Auckland Region 2000 - detailed overview of the management of waste within the region
  • New Zealand Waste Strategy 2002 - Ministry for the Environment (MFE) document outlining a new, more sustainable, direction for waste
  • Today's Landfills - details the purpose, design, construction and care of landfill sites.

Who deals with my waste?

Publications: