Domestic kerbside collections in Aotearoa New Zealand vary significantly across the country. Inconsistencies lead to confusion among the public, incentivise waste to landfill, and can increase contamination in recycling. This report discusses ways to standardise domestic kerbside collections to increase consistency, reduce confusion for householders, improve material quality and reduce residual rubbish to landfill.

A national audit was carried out on the plastic containers in New Zealanders’ rubbish and recycling bins in 2019. 867 households in 8 locations had their rubbish and recycling analysed with the results extrapolated to provide national figures. The findings have been released in this report.