We use wheelie bins, crates and pre-paid stickers and tags, depending on your collection type and location.
Find out what you require below or use our handy search tool to find out when and what you need for you weekly rubbish and recycling collection.
Your weekly collection
Pre-paid bags, stickers and tags
Every bag and wheelie bin in the Waikato district needs to either have a pre-paid sticker or tag or be in a pre-paid bag.
You can use a standard 60L rubbish bag for collection (including feedstock bags). Each bag must weigh no more than 15kg.
Note: From 1 July, rubbish bag stickers will increase from $1.50 to $3, and wheelie bin tags from $3 to $6. You'll need to use two stickers for each rubbish bag or two tags for a wheelie bin to accommodate for this price increase. This excludes Raglan that has separate waste services to the rest of the district.
From mid-August, new stickers and tags will be available from retailers. The new stickers will be in different colours to differentiate them from the old stock. Residents are welcome to use their old stock up by doubling stickers and tags to meet the price increase. You can purchase the new stickers and tags from supermarkets, Waikato District Council offices and libraries and some convenience stores.
Got questions?
From Tuesday, 1 July, the price for kerbside rubbish collection is doubling for the whole district except Raglan that has separate rubbish collection and different charges.
This means that rubbish bag stickers per bag will increase from $1.50 to $3 and wheelie bin tags (for Tuakau only) will be increasing from $3 to $6 per bin. The pre-paid stickers and tags are called user-pay and contribute 60% to the overall cost of waste management.
From Tuesday, 1 July, residents need to double-up on stickers and tags and use two blue stickers per rubbish bag and two yellow tags per wheelie bin to ensure their rubbish is collected.
The cost of waste services has increased significantly since the last user-pay increase in 2018. For example, gate fees at landfills have increased from $81 a tonne in 2018 to $191 a tonne now, and that’s just to dump it, we still have to pay for collection services, and other waste support services.
For user-pay to contribute to the true costs of the services, from 1 July 2025 the sticker price per rubbish bag will be raised from $1.50 per bag to $3.00 and tags will increase from $3.00 or $6.00 per tag –user pays covers about 60% and the rest of the 40% is covered in targeted “rubbish and recycling” in your rates bill.
No, stocking up is not recommended as the stickers and tags are changing. You can use up your current blue rubbish bag stickers or yellow wheelie bin tags during July and August. But residents will require two stickers per bag/ tags per wheelie bin from 1 July to 1 September if using the old stickers, so there is no benefit to stocking up on old stickers.
They will be in retailers and council offices during August. They will be $3.00 pink stickers for bags, and new green $6.00 tags for wheelie bins. New stickers must be used from 1 September.
Come into any council office and we will swap them for new ones.
We set a Recommended Retail Price (PPR), and we provide a 5% discount on the sale price for retailers to cover credit card or administration fees. Once a shop has purchased stickers or tags, unfortunately we no longer have control over the price.
Most retailers including supermarkets, Waikato District Council offices and libraries sell stickers and tags with no add ons.
We understand increasing costs on services is a nationwide issue. We’re encouraging residents to look at what they are putting in their rubbish to decrease how much goes to landfill and therefore reduce the price for households.
We know from audits that on average 14% kerbside rubbish is recyclable, and 46% of the weight of kerbside rubbish is food or garden waste. This is a great opportunity to create a compost bin. Let’s recycle everything we can, compost food scraps and garden trimmings, reduce food waste and avoid products with packaging.
No, you are not paying twice. Our rubbish services are paid for by a mixed funding model, with some of the costs being paid for by a targeted rate called “rubbish and recycling” on your rates invoice. With the remainder of the costs being paid for with the income from the pre-paid stickers and tags sales. The two payments together pay for the full cost of the rubbish service.
No, unfortunately increasing the user-pay proportion this much doesn't cover the full cost of the service, but it helps. The targeted rate is going up, but by less than it would have had to go up if the sticker price remained the same.
Due to the impact of the 2025 rates, Councillors decided not to consult on food scrap collections to keep costs down.
We remain committed to waste minimization and to educating our communities on reducing food waste and keeping organic waste out of landfills.
We are encouraging residents to start their own composting. Please let your local Councillor know if you are keen on kerbside food scraps collection.
It’s possible, we won’t know this until the next Long Term Plan in 2027.
The user-pay price increases are a financial and contract management decision that is supported by Elected Members.
It’s possible, and we’re asking the community to help us if you see this. Please report it via the Antenno app or call Council
0800 492 452.
Recycling is fully funded by the “rubbish and recycling” targeted rate for eligible households in your rates.
Need a recycling crate?
Each household receives two crates free when they complete a new build, after that, replacement crates are $23 each.
Recycling must be placed in the crate, unless it is cardboard/paper which can be placed between or under a crate or in a cardboard box not in the crate.
You can replace lost, stolen and damaged crates or get two free crates for a newly built dwelling from any one of our council offices, for locations see our contact us page.
Tuakau wheelie bins
Only certain areas of Tuakau use wheelie bins, each household is rated for one wheelie bin.
If you should have a wheelie bin and don't, or if it has been stolen, you can order a new one by calling us 0800 492 452 or visiting the Tuakau office.
Wheelie bins are only offered in one size, 120L and cost $58 + $16.20 delivery fee. Each wheelie bin must weigh no more than 40kg on collection day.
Each bag of refuse you put out for the Council kerbside collection in North Waikato and Central Waikato (except Raglan and Tuakau township) requires a pre-paid blue sticker.
This sticker is needed to ensure the collection and disposal of your weekly kerbside refuse.
All waste bags no more than 60 litres and 15kg (feed/stock bags can be used).
Tuakau township residents are supplied with a 120L wheelie bin for refuse, each wheelie bin must weigh no more than 40kg.
A pre-paid yellow tag is required on the bin handle prior to collection.
If you reside in Raglan township or Raglan rural areas (Te Uku, Te Mata or Waitetuna), an Xtreme Zero Waste prepaid 60 litre (blue) or 30 litre (green) bag is required for your waste.
These bags are available from Raglan Four Square, Raglan Supervalue, Wainui Foodmarket, Te Uku Store, Raglan BP Petrol Station and Xtreme Zero Waste Shop “Kaahus Nest”.
Where can I buy rubbish bag stickers and wheelie bin tags?
You can buy stickers and tags in the local convenience stores, service stations and selected Waikato District Council offices and libraries listed below.
The following retailers have confirmed they will stock the pre-paid stickers. Please check they are in stock prior to visiting the store.
PLEASE NOTE: This list is based on information provided to us by those retailers. It does not necessarily include all retailers who currently sell the stickers/tags, and some of the information may be outdated. If a retailer appearing on this list has advised they no longer sell rubbish stickers or tags, please let us know.
Our recommended retail price (RRP) to all retailers is $1.50 for stickers and $3.00 for tags. If there is an increase in that RRP at any retailer it is the individual retailers who have made that decision.
- Countdown - Roselands - 90-96 Great South Road, Papakura
- Countdown - Papakura - 2 Averill Street, Papakura
- Pak'nSave - Cnr Queen & Harris Streets, Pukekohe
- Countdown - Pukekohe - Cnr Tobin and Seddon Street, Pukekohe
- Countdown - Pukekohe South - 186 -192 Manukau Road, Pukekohe South
- Countdown - Takanini - 228 Great South Road, Takanini
- New World - Papakura - East Street, Papakura
- New World - Waiuku - 49 Bowen Street, Waiuku.
- Four Square - Bombay - Shop 3, 216 Mill Road, Bombay.
- New World - 14 Anzac Street
- Hautapu Country Store - 17 Hautapu Road, Cambridge.
- Gull Eureka - 1291 State Highway 26 (Morrinsville Road).
- Gordonton Superette - 1038 Gordonton Road
- The Farm Shop - 1060 Gordonton Road.
- Countdown - Bridge Street - Cnr Bridge Street and Anglesea Street
- Countdown - Chartwell - Chartwell Mall, Lynden Court, Chartwell
- Countdown - Dinsdale - 47 Whatawhata Road, Dinsdale
- Countdown - Hamilton - Cnr Anglesea Street and Liverpool Street
- Countdown - Rototuna - St James, Cnr Hukunui Road and Thomas Road, Rototuna
- New World - Glenview - Glenview Shopping Centre, State Highway 3 (Ohaupo Road)
- New World - Hillcrest - Hillcrest Shopping Centre, 280 Cambridge Road, Hillcrest
- New World - Rototuna - 44 Horsham Downs Road, Rototuna North
- New World - Te Rapa - 751 Te Rapa Road
- Pak'nSave - Clarence Street - Clarence Street
- Pak'nSave - Mill Street - 17 Mill Street.
- Masters Avenue Superette - 58 Masters Avenue, Hillcrest
- Silverdale Produce Planet - 1/122 Silverdale Road, Hillcrest
- Silverdale 4 Square - 120 Silverdale Rd
- Borman Road Suprette - 152 Te Manatu Drive, Huntington
- The Pink Shop Kaiaua - 999 East Coast Rd, Kaiaua RD3
- Horotiu Food Centre - 6195 Great South Road.
- Countdown - 1618 Tumate Mahuta Drive
- Fred's Four Square - Gordon Road
- Kbeez - 48 Main St, Huntly
- Pricecutters - 5 Bridge Street, Huntly West
- ShopnSave - 3 Bridge St, Huntly West
- Mobil Huntly - 320 Great South Road
- Waikato District Council office and library - 142 Main Street, Huntly.
- Maramarua Petrol Station - 2145 State Highway 2.
- Maramarua General Store - 2286 Highway 2
- Mobil - Mercer - State Highway 1.
- Waikato District Council library and office - 17 Heather Green Avenue
- Meremere Superette - 67 Te Puea Avenue.
- Countdown - Morrinsville - 66 Studholme Street.
- FreshChoice - 150 Great South Road
- Hiway 1 Dairy - 82 Great South Road
- Mills Pricecutter - 40 Whatawhata Avenue
- New World - 7 Galileo Street
- Waingaro Dairy - 29 Waingaro Road
- Wills Automotive - 9 Durham Street
- Waikato District Council office – 15 Galileo Street, Ngaaruawaahia
- ShopnSave - Jesmond St
- Pookeno Bacon - 53 Great South Road
- Pookeno Fuel Stop (G.A.S.) - 62 Great South Road - Open 7am to 7pm
- Pookeno Suprette
- Pookeno Countdown - 58 Great South Road
- Port Waikato Wharf Store - 10 Tuakau-Bridge Road.
- Gas Pukekawa - 797 Highway 22.
- Wayside Hire - 126 Wayside Road
- Four Square - 453 Tauwhare Road, Matangi
- Tamahere office and community space | Block C, Level 1, 65 Devine Road, Tamahere 3283 (next to the pharmacy, up the stairs)
- Gull Whitikahu - 644 Whitikahu Road
- Taupiri Dairy - 8 Te Putu Road, Taupiri 3721
- Vernall Motors - 119 Great South Road, Taupiri. CLOSED
- The Beauty House - 1092b Tauwhare Road.
(Open Tuesday to Friday. Please phone 07 824 0950 ahead for opening hours).
- Pak'nSave - Te Awamutu, 670 Cambridge Road
- New World - 6 Main Road
- Te Kauwhata Auto and General Store -35 Main Road
- Te Kauwhata Accounting & Business Services Ltd - 14A Main Road. CLOSED
- Waikato District Council office and library - 1 Main Road, Te Kauwhata.
- Te Kowhai Food Centre - 656 Horotiu Road
- Te Kowhai Gardens (Fruit & Veggie Shop) - 669 Horotiu Road.
- Pak'nSave - Thames - 100 Mary Street.
- Field Fresh - 53 George Street
- Supervalue - 2 George Street
- Ranch Rentals at Gull Tuakau - 118 Bollard Road
- Village Food Mart - 46 George Street
- Swann spice world, 48 George Street
- Waikato District Council office - 2 Dominion Road.
- Tuakau Food Market - 2 Buckland Road.
- Gas - 66 George St
- Five Star Dairy - 18 George S
- Central Suprette
- Gas Whatawhata - 1335 Horotiu Road, RD9 Hamilton.
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Last updated 10 June 2025, 01:56 pm