Rubbish and recycling collections in Hamilton will continue as usual during Easter (Friday 3 April and Monday 6 April) and on Anzac Day (observed Monday 27 April). Residents are reminded to put their bins out by 7am on their normal collection day.
In 2025, Hamilton households sent 30,446 tonnes of rubbish to landfill through kerbside collections. At the same time, residents diverted 13,691 tonnes of recycling, 2630 tonnes of glass and 4238 tonnes of food scraps from landfill.
Hamilton City Council’s Head of Resource Recovery, Sarah Wilson said many residents are doing the right thing, though there is still room for improvement.
“We can reduce the amount we send to landfill by recycling the right things and making full use of our food scraps bins. Every item sorted correctly makes a difference," Wilson said.
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Food scraps bin: fruit, vegetables, cooked food, meat, bones, fish, shellfish, and coffee grounds
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Glass crate: glass bottles and jars (with lids removed).
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Yellow recycling bin: plastics 1,2 and 5, cardboard and paper, tins and cans.
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Red rubbish bin: household rubbish that cannot be reused, recycled or donated.
With Easter treats and packaging common in many households, residents are encouraged to sort items correctly.
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Chocolate wrappers, cellophane and tinfoil belong in the red rubbish bin.
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Cardboard chocolate boxes and plastic trays numbered 1, 2 and 5 can go in the yellow recycling bin.
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Unwanted or expired chocolate can be placed in the food scraps bin.
Unsure which bin to put an item in? Head to fightthelandfill.co.nz and use the handy sorter tool. Simply type the item into the search bar and you’ll be shown the correct bin.
Council’s facilities will have reduced hours or be closed over Easter and Anzac Day, but residents will still be able to drop off excess rubbish, green waste, recycling or items for donation at selected times.
Lincoln Street Resource Recovery Centre
Friday 3 April: closed
Sunday 5 April and Monday 6 April: 9am – 4pm
Monday 27 April: 9am – 4pm
Habitat for Humanity ReUse store
Friday 3 April: closed
Sunday 5 April and Monday 6 April: closed
Monday 27 April: closed
Hamilton Organics Centre
Friday 3 April: closed
Sunday 5 April and Monday 6 April: 8am – 5pm
Monday 27 April: 8am – 5pm