Rubbish and recycling facilities

Find your nearest recycling centre or transfer station and check their opening hours.

Heads up! From 1 July, we’re updating some of our fees and charges for rubbish and recycling services. Here’s what’s new:

Rubbish bags:

  • 60L bags: $3.80 each, $19 for a 5-pack
  • 40L bags: $2.80 each, $14 for a 5-pack

Compost:

  • 30L bag: $7

Awapuni green waste:

  • Car: $7
  • Trailer: $20
  • Van or ute: $20
  • Van or ute plus trailer: $40

Events recycling:

  • Option B (Self-servicing): $75
  • Option C (Council-serviced): $290

All prices include GST.

These new rates have been carefully reviewed and approved by the Council to ensure we can continue providing quality services.

Recycle these items free at all our facilities

Please only drop off your recycling during opening hours. We don't want it blowing around. All plastic, metal and glass needs to be thoroughly washed in hot water.

Ferguson Street recycling centre

Bring your recycling and e-waste here, including batteries from handheld devices and lead-acid batteries (mostly from cars and some power tools). This facility also accepts Tetra Pak and other liquid paperboard packaging, household motor oil and cooking oil, household polystyrene package, and children's car seats ($5 each). You can buy bags of compost here, too.

545-573 Ferguson Street

Standard hours:

  • Monday to Friday 7.30am to 4.30pm
  • Saturday 8am to 4.30pm
  • Sunday and public holidays 10am to 3pm

2024 Holiday hours:

  • Good Friday (29 March) – closed
  • Saturday 30 March – 8am to 4.30pm
  • Easter Sunday (31 March) – 10am to 3pm
  • Easter Monday (1 April) – 10am to 3pm
  • Christmas Day - closed

Payment: Cash, Eftpos or Paywave

Visit the Rubbish and recycling fees and charges page for more details.

Awapuni resource recovery park

Bring your recycling and green waste here, and buy compost and mulch. Tyre recycling is available. We accept untreated wood. The fee is $45/T.

General waste not accepted. 

Address: Tip Road, Palmerston North

Standard hours:

  • Monday to Saturday 7.30am to 4.30pm
  • Sundays and public holidays 12pm to 4pm

2024 Holiday hours:

  • Good Friday, 29 March – closed
  • Saturday, 30 March – 7.30am to 4.30pm
  • Easter Sunday, 31 March – 12pm to 4pm
  • Easter Monday, 1 April – 12pm to 4pm
  • Anzac Day, 25 April – 1pm to 4pm
  • Christmas Day, 25 December – closed

Payment: Cash, Eftpos or Paywave

Visit the Rubbish and recycling fees and charges page for more details.

Ashhurst transfer station

Bring your recycling, green waste and general rubbish here. 

Address: Mulgrave Street

Standard hours:

  • Tuesday – 1pm to 3pm
  • Saturday – 10am to 4pm
  • Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day

Payment: Cash, Eftpos or Paywave

Visit the Rubbish and recycling fees and charges page for more details.

EnviroWaste transfer station

Palmerston North has one refuse transfer station for general rubbish, which is privately owned and operated by EnviroWaste. There is a fee to use this service, however rubbish in Palmerston North City Council rubbish bags will be accepted for free.

31 Matthews Ave

For hours and pricing, please see the EnviroWaste website.

 

No fly-tipping

Never dump rubbish at our drop off points. We have CCTV cameras in place, and you will risk a $400 illegal dumping fine. Take your rubbish to the privately owned Matthews Ave Transfer Station instead. 

Book a trip to our recycling centre or schedule a truck visit

We love teaching our community about how they can look after our environment better. Whether you're part of a community group, school, or kindergarten, we have exciting options for you to learn about recycling.

Field trips to our recycling centre

Join us for a hands-on learning experience at our recycling centre in Awapuni. Our plant will be operating during your visit, so please be prepared for some health and safety requirements:

  • Closed-toe shoes are a must.
  • We will provide hi-vis vests and earplugs.
  • Be aware that it can be noisy and smelly, with machinery moving around the site, so children need close supervision.

Visits to you

Can't make it to us? No problem! We can bring the learning to you.

Whether you’re an organisation, rest home, or school, we’re happy to visit and talk about all things recycling.

You can also book our recycling trucks to visit your daycare, kindergarten, or preschool. This is a great way for kids to learn about recycling in a fun and interactive way without leaving their familiar environment.

Limited availability

We only have a couple of slots available each month, so book early to secure your spot!

Click here to view form.