Horowhenua rubbish collection continues through lockdown, but not recycling

Rubbish will still be collected in Horowhenua.

Kerbside rubbish services will continue as normal in Horowhenua, as New Zealand goes into nationwide lockdown to prevent the spread of Covid-19 at midnight on Wednesday.

But the kerbside recycling collection during the lockdown period had stopped, due the recycling facility itself going into lockdown.

The Horowhenua District Council website is telling people to dispose of excess recycling in their general waste bin or rubbish bag when the recycling bin begins to full.

"We apologise for the change, which is beyond our control, and we look forward to restoring our recycling service after lockdown ends," the website said.

Meanwhile, there are also some new protocols around how to properly treat your trash, especially if anyone is feeling unwell.

Vance Baines from Levin Container Rubbish said their kerbside collection service would continue to run unchanged, with the same collection times as normal.

Baines said all staff are wearing gloves and adhering to strict hygiene measures, including keeping their distance from customers.

He said he approached staff earlier this week and they all embraced the idea of continuing to carry on working.

"It's going to be a chance to get out and get some fresh air," he said.

Horowhenua District Council communications manager Trish Hayward said all kerbside rubbish collection services will continue during the lockdown, but all transfer stations would close.

"We are asking people to keep putting their rubbish out as normal," she said.

"Council transfer stations and recycling stations will be closed to the public or removed."

"Council rubbish bags can be purchased from the supermarket. We will provide updates if there are any changes."

But if anyone was feeling unwell, the HDC website asked that they should put all the waste they had used, including tissues and masks, in a plain plastic rubbish bag.

"Tie the bag when it is about three-quarters full. Place the plastic bag either into your pre-paid bag or bin. Treat all cleaning waste in the same way."

"After you have placed these materials inside your pre-paid bag or bin, you need to wait 72 hours before placing your pre-paid bag or bin on the kerbside for collection."

"All businesses need to adopt the same policy if they have staff members feeling unwell."

"Commercial bins should be placed outside for collection to avoid unnecessary social contact."