Here's how it works:

1. Buy a tag from your local supermarket checkout.
2. Write your address on the front of the tag, in the allocated space available, in a ballpoint pen to help prevent the tag from being tampered with.
3. When your rubbish bin is full, take your bin to the kerbside by 7am on your usual collection day. Attach the tag to the left hand bin handle so our collectors can see them. Some customers are using their old blue and yellow bins from before there were rubbish bins in their service area.
4. Our trucks will collect rubbish bins with a tag on your usual collection day.

 Six things you need to know

1. Your rubbish collection days stay the same

Put your bin kerbside by 7am on your usual collection day.

2. Your old blue bin back works as your rubbish bin

If your old bin is broken or you need a new one, you can request a bin here and we'll get you started.

3. Tags are on sale at supermarket checkouts

Pre-paid tags cost for $5.20 per bin tag for a standard bin (120L/140L). You can buy them at your supermarket checkout, dairies and petrol stations. Tags for larger bins (240L) cost $7.70. Tags for smaller bins (80L) cost $3.50.

4. Write your address on the tag before attaching it to your bin 

Write your address on the front of the tag, in the allocated space available, in a ballpoint pen to help prevent the tag from being tampered with.

5. Attach the tag to the left handle  

On the back of the tag the instructions explain how to place the tag around the bin handle. Each time you put your bin out; attach a tag to the left hand bin handle so our collectors can see them.

6. Tags are secure

Tags include security cut outs and a space to write your address. This means that someone who takes a tag off someone else’s bin won’t be able to use it for themselves. 

Rural areas

If you are in a rural area, your property can continue to use orange bags or a bin or click here and search 'collection day'.

Frequently asked questions

I don’t have a bin - what do I do?

If you don’t have an Auckland Council rubbish bin, visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz to order one and we’ll get you started. Or if you have the time simply click here to get underway.

Can I change my bin to a larger or smaller size?

Yes, you can. You have options! Simply, choose the bin size that suits your household. When’s it’s full, wheel it out on your collection day with a pre-paid bin tag attached. Changing your bin is easy visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/binrequests to swap it out today. Or simply click here to get started now.

When and where can I buy tags?

You can buy tags at your local supermarket checkouts, as well as Auckland Council Service Centres and Libraries.

How do the tags work?

The tag works like an airport luggage tag – on the back of the tag instructions explain how to place the tag around the bin handle. Write your address on the front of the tag, in the allocated space available, in a ballpoint pen to help prevent the tag from being tampered with. 

Attach the tag to the left-hand bin handle so our collectors can see them. 

Do I need to put the bin out every week?

No. If your bin isn’t full you can wait until it is full before attaching a tag and putting it out. The new service is a ‘pay as you throw’ service.

Your rubbish and recycling bin collection days stay the same. Rubbish collections will continue to be available weekly (with a prepaid tag) and recycling will be collected fortnightly.

Will my rubbish bin be collected if I don’t put a tag on it?

No. Drivers will only collect Auckland Council bins with a tag. Please make sure you put a tag on your bin as there will be no option to pay for a tag later and trucks will not be sent back to collect bins put out without a tag.