1. I put my rubbish/recycling out and it has not been picked up. Why, and what do I do now?
2. What should I NOT put in my rubbish bag?
3. I am keen to recycle but am not sure how this benefits me or the Central Hawke's Bay District, what is the point?
4. Where can I buy official Central Hawke's Bay rubbish bags?

1) I put my rubbish/recycling out and it has not been picked up. Why, and what do I do now?

If you put your rubbish/recycling out and it has not been collected, chances are one of the following has occurred:

• Your rubbish/recycling was out too late. Rubbish must be out by 7.30am regardless of whether the truck came at 9.00am the week before. Bags can be picked up at any time.
• Something was in your bag/recycling that should not have been there. A sticker indicating what the problem was should be left. Pink is for rubbish and orange is for recycling. If there is no sticker, contact CHBDC on 06 857 8060.

Other things to consider are:

• Make sure your rubbish is in an official CHBDC bag.
• Make sure your bag is securely closed.

What now? You can either:

• Fix the problem on the sticker and put it out the following week.
• Take your rubbish to the transfer station - it is free in a Council bag.
• If it is recycling, remove the incorrect item/s and put correct items out next week or take remaining recycling to the recycling centres.

2) What should I NOT put in my rubbish bag?

This basically comes down to commonsense, but the most obvious things are listed on the pink sticker. These are:

• Sharp objects not safely wrapped.
• Dangerous or hazardous materials.
• Hot ashes.
• Liquids.

If any of these things are found, your bag will not be picked up.

3) I am keen to recycle but am not sure how this benefits me or the Central Hawke's Bay District, what is the point?

Recycling benefits you in many ways. The most obvious benefit is a cost saving, less obvious but most importantly is the positive effects on the environment.Recycling conserves natural resources, reducing pressure on the environment by reusing wastes as opposed to creating more.

A few recycling facts:

• Recycling a stack of newspapers 1 metre high saves one tree.
• Recycling a 350ml aluminium can saves enough energy to keep a lightbulb going for 12 hours.
• On average in New Zealand a recycled aluminium tin/can will be back in the shops within 6 weeks.
• 5 recycled PET fizzy drink bottles make enough fibrefill for a man's ski jacket.

4) Where can I buy official Central Hawke's Bay rubbish bags?

Rubbish bags are available to purchase from the following outlets

• Council Offices - Ruataniwha St Waipawa
• Waipawa Library
• Waipukurau Library
• Waipukurau New World
• Waipukurau Woolworths
• Waipawa New World
• Takapau Community Foodmarket
• Otane General Store
• Onga Onga General Store
• Beach Marine Te Paerahi
• Beach rubbish contractors - Tony Hawthorne or Graham Riach
• Pourerere Beach Freedom camping committee