Bin clips

Palmy’s recycling wheelie bins now have clips on the lid, which means you don’t have to worry about your bin blowing over and causing a mess.

Photo shows closeup of a wheelie bin with the lid secured by a clip.

 We want you to secure the clip whenever you take your bin out to the kerb. 

Still need a clip?

We rolled out bin clips around the city over summer 2021-22. If you missed out, you can pick one up from our Customer Service Centre at 32 The Square, Palmerston North.

The clips are really easy for everyone to use

When the clip isn't done up you can open and close the bin like normal. Before you put your bin out for collection, please make sure your new clip is on.

You can use it all the time though if your bin is in a windy spot in your garden.

How to install your bin clip

How to clip your lid

  • Holding the pull tab firmly, pull the latch down so the hook engages under the bin rim.
  • Your bin lid is now securely fastened.
  • To open the bin lid, pull the tab out from the bin rim to disengage the hook.

Once your bin is clipped, only put it out for collection if it's more than half-full

Using the clips means you will now only be able to put your wheelie bin out for collection if it is more than half full. This is because the weight of your recycling causes the clip to unhook when our trucks pick them up.

Why do we need bin clips?

It gets pretty windy here sometimes, and sometimes our recycling bins tip over in that wind. We don't want litter blowing around the place, so these new clips ensure your lid will stay shut in the wind.

The force of the bin being picked up by our truck causes the clip to unlatch and empty the recycling. Easy, eh?

How does it work?

Watch our video for how to install and secure the clip. Once your clip is installed, simply pull the long strap down and clip it. 

Is it just for residents, or for businesses and schools too?

Bin clips have been made available to everyone who has a Council kerbside or commercial recycling service – that means education providers and companies who use our service should have received a clip.

How do they undo?

You undo them by lifting the clip up. When we collect your recycling, the weight of the bin being lifted upside down by the truck is enough to undo the clip and empty the bin. This will only work though if your bin is more than half full.

Does my bin need to be full?

The weight of the recycling in your wheelie bin causes the clip to unhook when our trucks pick them up. This means we need your wheelie bin to be more than half full.

Should the clip be on all the time, or just when I put it out on the kerb for collection?

We want you to put your clip on whenever you take it out to the kerb to be collected. You can use it all the time though if your bin is in a windy spot in your garden.

How much has this cost?

The clips costs $180,000. We are paying for this from funding we get from the Ministry for the Environment's Waste Minimisation Fund. The fund allocates money to help cities with solutions to reduce waste and meet the goals of our Waste Management and Minimisation plan.

Can I install it myself?

Yes – if you still haven’t got one, you can pick a bin clip up from our Customer Service Centre. Watch the ‘how to’ video above. Once these clips are on, they’re really easy to use. 

How have these been rolled out?

We had a team installing the bin clips, but as we’ve moved throughout the COVID Alert levels and navigated the Omicron situation, some people have had to install these themselves. We asked for people to get in contact with us if they still hadn’t received a bin clip, and we’ve posted clips out to these people. Anyone else who still requires a bin clip can pick one up from our Customer Service Centre at 32 The Square, Palmerston North.

I haven't got one yet, what do I do?

You can pick one up at our Customer Service Centre, 32 The Square, Palmerston North.

Do I have to use it?

We strongly encourage the use of the bin clips. This is so we can reduce unwanted litter.
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