Not a load of rubbish: Positive results for revamped inorganics system

For some Aucklanders, the news that the council was shaking up its inorganics collection system back in 2016 was greeted with dismay.

Like many teens of the era, I myself had ventured out in packs to pick through the mounds of unwanted materials, hunting for perhaps a cool jacket or an old office chair to ride around on. One time we even found an unused condom, which we all agreed was hilarious despite not really knowing what it was for.

My mum was less happy about the whole situation however, and as it turns out, a system based on dumping stuff out onto the curb may not have the most efficient and sustainable recycling process.

New data from Auckland Council suggests that the booked, on-property system is showing some positive results, with the amount of materials recovered going from less than a fifth in 2022–23 to approximately 27% in 2025–26. During this period, the total amount collected has remained steady at around 7,000 tonnes per year. Speaking to rova, the council’s general manager of waste solutions, Justine Haves, says she’s thrilled with the result.

“The service is now specifically designed around reuse. We collect items from within people's properties, which means that we can keep more household items in a good enough condition to be used again. We are intentionally protecting and sorting those items, and then connecting them with people who can reuse them.

“The old system led to a lot of items being dismantled and destroyed on the curb. Instead, with them now remaining within the property, we're able to actually retain them in their current form, and then that increases the reuse potential for those items. We're recovering significantly more material than we were a few years ago, which is fabulous.”

With all these salvaged materials coming into its possession, Justine Haves says the council has connected with an array of local groups to help get them into the hands of new owners. 

“We have a cool network of community organisations that are able to come and select those materials that they are able to reuse, repair or gift on to people. Things like bikes, furniture, household goods, and materials which can be used in things like creative workshops. They’re all being redistributed to people who need them. These things still have life left in them.

“Our experience shows that inorganic collection doesn’t have to just be about disposal. That's what we're particularly pleased to see, is that when you design the service around reuse and recovery, we can all reduce waste while creating real benefits for communities.”

Aucklanders keen to give a second life to their waste can book a collection here.

Header image credit: Auckland Council

Junk image credit: Clark Gu on Unsplash