Why use official Council rubbish bags?
Your rubbish must be in an official yellow Council rubbish bag for it to be picked up from the kerbside by our collectors. Wellington rubbish collections are funded through the cost of these bags.
Yellow bags must be presented at kerbside for collection. If taken to the Southern Landfill they will incur a minimum charge for disposal.
Where to buy Council rubbish bags
You can buy official Council rubbish bags at:
Cost
The recommended retail price (GST included) for our official Council bags is:
- $17.50 for five bags
- $3.50 per bag.
Weight limit
The 50L yellow bags have a weight limit of 15kg. If your rubbish bag exceeds this weight it may not be collected.
For large amounts of rubbish, consider taking it yourself to the Southern Landfill, hiring a skip, or contacting a private waste collector.
Green waste
Rubbish bags cannot contain more than 10% green waste. Green waste can be composted at home or dropped off for composting at the Southern Landfill – there is a dedicated green waste drop off area.
Sharp objects
For the safety of our collectors, make sure any sharp objects, such as broken glass, crockery and metal, are thoroughly wrapped in paper before you put it in the bag.
Items you cannot put in your rubbish
Hazardous waste
Hazardous waste can’t go in Council rubbish bags. Find out what hazardous items are accepted at the Southern Landfill Transfer Station.
Never put hazardous liquid waste into stormwater drains as this system flows without treatment into streams and the sea.
Hot ashes
Please don't put hot ashes in Council rubbish bags.
Liquids
You should not put any liquids in Council rubbish bags, even if they’re in containers.
Commercial waste
Commercial or industrial waste, including trade waste, offal or dead animals cannot go in domestic rubbish bags. Private waste contractors collect these types of waste.
What to do with your waste
If you want to check how to dispose of a specific item, search for it on what to do with your waste.
Fines
Under the Solid Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2020 fines of up to $400 can apply if you:
- leave rubbish out for collection that is not in an official Wellington City Council rubbish bag
- do not remove any rubbish which Council staff have left behind because it is unsuitable for collection.