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How to dispose of anything — A to Z

229 everyday items, and what to actually do with each one in New Zealand. Kerbside collection is set by each council and differs across the country, so each guide covers the item itself — what it is made of, its impact, and any drop-off options — then points you to your own council's guide for the rules at your kerb.

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Browse by where it goes

Recycling (49)

Has a recycling route somewhere in New Zealand — which is not the same as the kerb. Some need a drop-off instead, and councils accept different materials, so check your council.

AA/AAA Alkaline Battery · Aluminum Can (soda, beer) · Aluminum Foil (clean) · Aluminum Foil (dirty) · Biscuit Tray (plastic) · Book (paperback) · Bubble Wrap · Butchers Paper · Car Battery · Cardboard Box · Cardboard Tube (toilet roll) · Cell Phone / Smartphone

Compost or food & garden waste (17)

Breaks down — compost at home, or check whether your council offers a food or garden collection.

Coffee Grounds · Compostable Coffee Cup · Compostable Cutlery · Cooked Food Leftovers · Corks (natural) · Eggshells · Fish Bones · Flower Bouquets · Food Scraps (uncooked fruit/veg) · Grass Clippings · Leaves and Weeds · Oyster Shells

General waste (101)

No widely available recycling or composting route in New Zealand — check your council for where it goes at home.

Aerosol Can (empty) · Aluminum Pet Food Tray · Baking Paper · Bed Sheets / Linens · Blister Packs (pills) · Book (hardcover) · Bottle Cap · Bread Bag · Broken Christmas Lights · Broken Drinking Glass · Broken Terracotta Pot · Candle Wax

Drop-off point (21)

Not collected at the kerb — take it to a site or shop that accepts it.

Bricks · Cables and Cords · Carpet · Chip Packet · Concrete · Digital Camera · DVD Player · Gas Bottle / Canister · Hard Drive · Household Batteries · Keyboard · Old Pot/Pan

Hazardous waste (21)

Never put this in a kerbside bin — it needs specialist handling.

9V Battery · Ammonia · Asbestos · Brake Fluid · Button Battery (watches) · Car Wax · CFL Light Bulb · Engine Oil · Expired Medicine · Fire Extinguisher · Flares · Lithium-Ion Battery (laptops, phones)

Special collection (20)

Too big or awkward for a bin — booked collection, drop-off, or a private service.

Asphalt Shingles · Children's Car Seat · Cooking Oil · Doors · Furniture (upholstered) · Hair Dryer · Headphones / Earbuds · Insulation · Light Fixtures · Mattress · Microwave · Power Tool

Every item, A to Z