Fees to dispose of electronic waste will range from $1 for a laptop battery to $27 for a TV (non-flat screen) and $60 for a photocopier.
Polystyrene products will be redirected to landfill.
"I haven't been aware of the changes, I got the news the same way anyone else did in the last few days," Mrs Wepa said.
"Perhaps we have been a little slow in getting this information out. But, we are doing things quite differently now and with contractors taking over the day to day running of the centre there were always going to be some changes.
"We want our services to be sustainable and cost effective for the whole community."
Mrs Wepa said she hoped the changes would not encourage more people to dump rubbish illegally.
"I hope people take more responsibility for their own waste. If they can afford a new product, like a TV or fridge, one would hope they would know what to do with the old one."
Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick said the council paid about $140,000 a year to collect and dispose of electronic waste and it was only fair it was paid for by users.
"Everyone's been focused on the new bins, but we all knew that under new management changes would happen. Co-mingling is an issue for some people who are used to sorting out their recycling."
She said recycling changes and increased charges at the Rotorua landfill would not increase illegal dumping.
"I think there are people who will always do that. Community clean up days can be useful and we can co-fund these initiatives."
She said the council's new waste strategy was only months away from being "fully integrated" and people were only just learning about the new processes.
"I can see why people have rocked up to find changes have gone ahead and they are a little unhappy."