Public Rubbish Bin reductions start this week

Published on 07 July 2025

This week, Waitaki District Council's contractor Green By Nature, will reduce the number of public rubbish bins available in the Waitaki District. Maps of where bins will be removed are provided, showing that for the majority there are still public rubbish bins within walking distance.

Waitaki District Council is continuing its efforts to improve the way public spaces are looked after, taking a more efficient approach to public rubbish bin provision and encouraging “pack in, pack out” behaviour from the community. A recent review recommended approximately 21% of public bins be removed.

The review has been completed as part of Council’s initiatives to reduce costs – with the bins identified for removal being either under-used, over-used with illegal household waste dumping, or located near other bins, meaning people will still have access to a bin within walking distance in most areas. This move is expected to result in annual savings of around $42,276 or 18% of the current public bin servicing budget.

The main area where bins are to be removed is central Ōamaru, where there is an unnecessary intensity of bins, resulting in unnecessary servicing costs, or where bins are located outside business premises that are no longer active.

Maps below show the bins to be removed, circled in red. For almost all of these removals there is a nearby bin available.

Lower Thames St, Thames Highway/Redcastle Road, Eveline, Ettrick St., Oamaru New Cemetery, Chelmer St., Arun St.(PDF, 4MB)

Thames Highway - Eden to Usk, Omarama(PDF, 1MB)

(PDF, 1MB)Thames St/Severn St., Palmerston, Macraes(PDF, 2MB)