What you can and cannot put in kerbside recycling from February
Aucklanders are being urged to brush up on their recycling etiquette as new national standards come into effect at the beginning of next month.
Identical guidelines for what can and cannot be put into kerbside recycling bins across the country are due to come into force on February 1. Previously, local councils had different criteria for what recycling was accepted.
Items that will be accepted in kerbside recycling bins from February 1 include:
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Glass bottles and jars
Paper and cardboard
Plastic bottles, trays, and containers (grades 1, 2 and 5 only)
Tin, steel and aluminium cans
There are also some new items that will be excluded from February 1:
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Items less than 50mm (e.g caps, small cosmetic and spice containers)
Aerosol cans (steel and aluminium)
Liquid paperboard (Tetrapak and juice boxes)
Plastics 3, 4, 6 and 7
Aluminium foil and trays
All lids
Items over 4 litres
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Councillor Richard Hills encouraged Aucklanders to familiarise themselves with these new guidelines.
“By only putting in the right recyclable items into our bins, we are helping increase the quality of materials collected for recycling, which in turn reduces disposal costs.”
Hills, who is the chair of the Planning, Environment and Parks committee, said that this change is another important step along the path to Auckland Council's goal of zero waste by 2040.
“Reducing the use of single use items is the best way to reduce waste, following that, it is recycling right.”
The new guidelines also serve as a reminder of the issue of recycling contamination in Auckland.
Nearly a quarter of the material collected in Auckland’s kerbside recycling is contaminated with non-recyclable items, costing ratepayers an extra $3m a year in sorting and disposal.
Materials that show up in bins include food; textiles, carpets and clothes; nappies, medical waste and garden waste; soft plastic and plastic bags; bagged recycling and rubbish, and lithium-ion batteries and appliances.
For more information on the new recycling guidelines, see the Auckland Council website.
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Farmers Santa Parade
Every year, the Farmers Santa Parade marks the beginning of the festive season in Aotearoa, sprinkling magic, song, and dance down Auckland's Queen Street. Next month, the parade will return for its 91st year with an unmissable line-up of family favourites, including children's television phenomenon Bluey.
Spectators can expect to see the parade hero, Santa, alongside a suite of new characters and floats, including one constructed entirely of LEGO®.
Kiwi fans of Bluey will see their favourite blue pup in person as she makes a trip to Auckland to star on her very own float in the event. Bluey and Bingo will also make a special appearance at Santa's Party at the close of the parade.
After representing Aotearoa at the 2024 Olympics, gold medallist Hamish Kerr will be opening the parade as this year's official grand marshal and leading the iconic procession of festive floats including one inspired by K-pop, in the shape of a giant pink guitar and a nostalgic Kiwiana caravan float that encapsulates summer in Aotearoa.
Local community groups, such as Central Auckland Flip N Fly Circus School and South Auckland Cook Island Community Dance School, will perform throughout the parade, bringing their impressive skills to the street.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure the perfect viewing spot for this cherished holiday tradition.
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Postponement Date: Sunday 1st December 2024
Pre-Parade Entertainment: 12pm – 1pm
Parade: 1 – 2.30pm
Santa’s Party: 2.30pm – 5pm
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What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.9% Second half of November
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44.8% 1st December
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17% A week before Christmas
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32.1% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below