Other things you can do with organic waste

New Zealand families throw out about $560 worth of food each year – that's three shopping trolleys full. As a country, we throw out 157,389 tonnes every year – enough food to feed everyone in Kāpiti for nearly eight years!

It's best to keep food and garden waste out of our rubbish bins, where it will end up in landfill. Conditions in landfill aren’t right for organic waste to break down into compost; instead it rots, and produces methane (a greenhouse gas). It also contributes to making toxic leachate, which can contaminate our environment.

If home composting isn’t for you, there are other options to ensure your food or garden waste is composted.

Collection services

Two collectors collect garden waste, and three organisations collect food waste, so you can sign up for one of these services.

Transfer stations

Our transfer stations are drop-off points for Composting New Zealand’s greenwaste composting facility in Otaihanga. Fees for this are outlined on our Fees and charges page.

Community mulcher clubs

Community mulcher clubs have been set up in Raumati South and Paekākāriki using funds from the Waste Reduction Grants. There’s an annual fee to join a club (which covers maintenance and eventual machine replacement) as well as hire fees for use.

Training is provided, and safety equipment supplied with the mulcher.

Clubs are happy to discuss their experiences with you – the machines they purchased, club structure, etc. Email [email protected] for more information and club contact details.

Love Food Hate Waste

It’s easy to make small changes – and a big difference – to the amount of food you waste. Kāpiti Coast District Council is one of 60 councils around the country that supports Love Food Hate Waste, helping you make those changes.

Discover the A-Z storage guide to keep your food fresher for longer and other good food habits to reduce your waste and save money. Check out the Love Food Hate Waste website or Facebook page for tips, recipes and lots of information about getting the most out of your food! 

Become a food waste warrior and save money! Try these Recipe Remix meals which can be turned into three different dishes.