Anger over rubbish bag theft

Some Rotorua residents are annoyed they have had their bundles of rubbish bags stolen, saying if more free bags were delivered, people wouldn't be tempted to steal them.

The Rotorua City Council delivers a pack of 26 approved rubbish bags every six months but some residents say this is not enough and is leading to the thefts.

But the council says while theft of rubbish bags has been an ongoing issue, it had not noticed the problem had increased recently.

Rotorua mother Tafea Iasona said while she was working her family never received their deliveries of rubbish bags.

"It's okay for me now because I'm a stay-at-home mum so as soon as they are delivered I grab them, but most people work during the day and when they get home, the bags are long gone."

Ms Iasona said a better delivery system would go a long way to preventing theft.

"Most of the time the delivery truck doesn't even slow down when throwing the bags on to the driveway.

"If people are living on a property with other houses, the bundles don't get separated so it becomes a first-in-first-serve situation."

Ms Iasona said for larger families, the allocated bag amount was not enough which could be motivation for theft.

"We are a family of five and use about three bags a week so the allocated 12 bags every six months is not enough and we have to buy extras from the supermarket.

"At over $1 a bag, it is easy to understand why people would rather steal than spend their limited income on expensive council bags."

On the Rotorua Daily Post Facebook page, many users have said the problem is caused by thieves and the delivery system.

"So many get stolen ... my thought is that we get a voucher with our rates invoice and then go and get the bags in exchange at the council or somewhere that takes them off the streets for security," one person said.

Rotorua District Council works manager Peter Dine said the council had not noticed any particular increase in reports of stolen rubbish bag bundles.

"It does happen but it doesn't appear to be a widespread problem. Police will deal with anyone caught stealing bags, as was the case with a person apprehended last year."

Mr Dine said residents who had a problem with bags going missing could arrange to collect their supply from the council Civic Centre.

"I'd encourage anyone experiencing such problems to contact our customer centre team to discuss their options.

"Our rubbish collection vehicle fleet comes up for replacement in the next couple of years and it's expected the council will review its kerbside refuse collection options at that time."