Draft Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2025

A waste bylaw is a local law that sets rules for how waste is managed in a city, district, or region. It can cover waste disposal, reduction, sorting, collection and are designed to protect the environment, public health and safety, and are tailored to the unique needs of each local area. 

The existing regulations are part of the Hastings District Council Consolidated Bylaw 2021, which includes general kerbside collection rules. However, it doesn't provide specific details on the responsibility of different parties to manage waste effectively.

To support the updated Joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP), a more detailed bylaw is needed, one with clearer guidance.

The bylaw aims to:

• Achieve the purpose of the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 and the New Zealand Waste Strategy;
• Ensure efficient and effective waste management and minimisation across Heretaunga Hastings district and support safe practices through the regulation of the collection, transport, and disposal of waste or processing of recycling;
• Support the implementation of the Hastings District Council / Napier City Council Joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.

The bylaw applies to everyone:

• Households
• Businesses
• Waste collectors and operators
• Anyone using public waste bins

Waste separation:

• Waste must be sorted (e.g., organic, household, recyclable, hazardous).
• Only permitted waste can go in public collection areas.
• Prohibited waste (e.g., medical, hazardous, liquid) is not allowed in standard bins.

Responsibilities of households and businesses:

• Use approved bins and store waste hygienically.
• Avoid overfilling and place bins correctly for collection.
• Remove bins after collection.

Responsibilities of waste collectors/operators:

• Provide bins to enable to separation of waste
• Don’t collect waste if it’s all mixed together - green waste and recycling shouldn’t be bundled in with general rubbish

Public bin use:

• Public bins are not for household or business waste.
• Must not be misused, overfilled, or vandalised.

Where a person does not comply with the requirements of this Bylaw, Council may take the following action(s)

• Not collect contents of bins
• Issue warning notices
• Stop a collection service to a property
• Issue compliance notices or remove non-compliant waste at the offender’s expense.
• Issue a fine (up to $20,000 for serious breaches) under the Waste Minimisation Act 2008 or the Litter Act 1979.

Yes, the bylaw includes provisions to enable controls for the following:

• Event waste management: Organisers must plan for waste minimisation and proper disposal.
• Construction and demolition waste: Specific rules to ensure building materials are disposed of correctly.
• Special collection areas: Designated zones for unique waste needs.
• Licencing of waste collectors and operators

It is Council’s intention to continue with the current collaborative approach of working with the different sectors to increase waste minimisation and resource recovery as a first step, rather than jumping to enforcement through a bylaw.  These controls will only be enacted by Council, should they be required when non-regulatory approaches have been exhausted.”

This is very similar to the draft Waste Management and Minimisation bylaw which Napier City Council has consulted upon.

The Joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan (WMMP) is a strategic document developed by both Hastings District and Napier City Councils to set shared goals and priorities for managing waste across the region.

However, each council is responsible for regulating waste within its own boundaries, which means they need individual bylaws tailored to their local services, infrastructure, and community needs. While the plan guides overall direction, the bylaws provide the legal tools each council needs to put it into action.

The bylaw aims to:

• Improve recycling and reduce landfill waste.
• Encourage better waste practices at home, work, and in public.
• Support a cleaner, more sustainable environment.
• Ensure fair and consistent rules for all waste users and providers.

We want to make sure the bylaw reflects the needs and realities of our community. Your feedback helps us:

• Understand how the proposed rules might impact households, businesses, and service providers.
• Identify any areas that need more clarity, flexibility, or support.