Refuse transfer stations
Refuse and recycling transfer stations in the Gisborne district.
Gisborne city | Rural townships
City recycling and resource recovery centre
Waste Management NZ, 75 Innes Street opposite Tupaea Street. Ph 868 5797
Here they are on Google map(external link)
Recycling drop-off
The drop-off recycling facility is open 24/7 located at the entrance of 75 Innes Street. your
Note - changes to recycling plastic
Grades 3 to 7 plastics will no longer be accepted for recycling due to significant changes to the global recycling market.
Households should check the grade of plastic before you buy the product. More information will be provided soon, here's the latest media release(external link)(external link)
Kerbside refuse stickers retail for $2.92ea.
Transfer station hours and charges
Covid-19 level 2 - note updated opening hours.
No cash, only eftpos
Comply with on-site 2m physical distancing
| Days | Hours |
| Monday - Friday | 7.30am - 4.30pm |
| Saturday | 9.30am - 3.30pm |
| Sunday | 9.30am - 3.30pm |
| Public holidays | 9.30am - 3.30pm |
| Christmas Day, Good Friday | Closed |
Waste Management NZ Ltd accept eftpos only - no cash during Covid-19 alert levels.
Waste is charged per tonne on the weighbridge. Minimum charges apply.
You can first tip your rubbish then return to the weighbridge, then tip your green waste, recycling or hardfill. All recycling products must be separated first, this includes colour separation of glass. Any product not separated or contaminated by more than 2.5% will be treated and charged as general waste.
All vehicles must pass over the weighbridge for separate loads to be charged.
| Waste | Charges |
| General waste - car, ute, trailer general household and commercial waste |
$17 minimum charge (up to 50kg) $328 per tonne |
| Green waste - car, ute, trailer lawn clippings, leaves, tree trimmings. No flax |
$8 minimum charge (up to 50kg) $149 per tonne |
| Hardfill / cleanfill - car, ute, trailer concrete, rock, rubble, sand, clay, soil, dirt, ceramics, tiles, asphalt, fibreboard, window or sheet glass. No contaminated soil. |
$18 minimum charge (up to 100kg) $175 per tonne |
| Hazardous waste - car, ute trailer rotten organic material, offal. Must be fully wrapped, bagged and sealed. |
$42 minimum charge (up to 100kg) - $397 per tonne |
| Special waste by prior arrangement only | |
| Asbestos, treated timber | price on application |
| Appliances, eWaste, batteries, flexible or blended plastic | price on application |
| Products not accepted | |
| Tyres, paint, liquid wastes, medical waste, bulk scrap steel or car bodies | not accepted |
Health and safety requirements on site
Drivers must follow instruction from staff.
Enclosed footwear must be worn. People are not to climb onto loads or heaped piles. Pets and children must stay in the vehicle at all times.
Rural township transfer stations
Opening hours and charges for taking rubbish to our rural transfer stations.
All rubbish needs a council blue rubbish sticker on it.
Stickers
No reduction in price for part loads or garden waste.
| Rubbish bag | up to 5kg | 1 blue sticker |
| Bins and small load | wheelie bin, 200 litre drum, fadge or car boot (load less than 100kg or .5 cubic metre) |
4 blue stickers or 1 pink sticker |
| Medium load | small ute, van or trailer (less than 200kg or 1 cubic metre) |
2 pink stickers |
| Large load | large van, ute, trailer or crate (less than 400kg or 2 cubic metres) |
4 pink stickers |
| Commercial load | Trucks - more than 400kg or 2 cubic metres | by arrangement only or at Waiapu Landfill or Gisborne Transfer Station |
Rural transfer station - hours and sticker outlets
Transfer stations are closed outside these hours.
We have additional days December to January for Tokomaru Bay, Tolaga Bay, Te Puia Springs and Te Araroa
| Location | Day and Hours | Sticker Retailers |
| Matawai 209 Motu Rd |
Tuesday, Wednesday 12pm-2pm, Saturday and Sunday 2pm-4pm |
Hard Drive Cafe |
| Whatatutu 146 Tip Road |
Tuesday, Thursday 1pm-3pm, Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 2pm-4pm |
Nga Ariki Kaiputahi office |
| Te Karaka 229 Kanakania Rd |
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday 1pm-3pm | Rangatira Motors |
| Tokomaru Bay 31 Paikea Road |
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 11am-1pm Sunday 2pm-4pm |
Tokomaru Bay Four Square |
| Tikitiki 35 Awanui Rd |
Wednesday, Thursday 3pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 2pm-4pm |
Hikurangi Foodmarket Four Square |
| Tolaga Bay 146 Waiapu Rd |
Tuesday 7am-9am, Thursday 11am-1pm, Saturday, Sunday 2pm-4pm |
John's Superette and Lotto, Uawa Foodmarket, George and Mildreds Supermarket |
| Te Puia Springs 4855 Waiapu Rd |
Monday, Wednesday, Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 1pm-3pm | Council office, Te Puia Springs Store |
| Waiapu 89 Thatcher Rd |
Monday 2pm-4pm, Tuesday 10am-12pm, Wednesday 1pm-3pm, Thursday 10am-12pm, Friday 11am-1pm, Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 2pm-4pm |
Hikurangi Foodmarket Four Square |
| Te Araroa 26 Te Arawapia Rd |
Tuesday 10am-12pm, Thursday 3pm-5pm, Saturday 10am-12pm, Sunday 10am-12pm | Eastern Store, Hicks Bay General Store |
Questions and answers
Q. What colour are the rural stickers?
A. Blue.
Q. How much are the stickers?
A. The recommended retail price is $2.80. But we have no control over what retailers can charge. Pink stickers for $10 are also available.
Q. If I use all my stickers, where can I buy more?
A. You can buy more stickers at the stores in your township. See table above for stores
Q. Can I pay cash for my rubbish at the transfer station?
A. No. The community caretakers will only accept rubbish with stickers. We don’t want any cash held at rural transfer stations.
Q. Will I be able to buy stickers at the transfer station?
A. No. We don’t want cash on the premises.
Q. Can I take my rubbish to a transfer station at any time that suits me?
A. No. Only during the open hours. See table above.
Q. Can I use half a sticker for half a load?
A. No. You should try to make sure you go in with a full load as there’s no reduction for part loads.
Q. Can I use my blue stickers on the Gisborne city kerbside rubbish collection?
A. No. The city kerbside contractor will only pick up bags with orange stickers. They are different contractors.
Q. Can people from out of the town use our rural transfer stations?
A. Yes. But you need to buy blue stickers from the local stores.
Q. If I lose my recycling bin where can I get another one?
A. You can buy a replacement recycling bin for $15 at customer service in Te Puia Springs or Gisborne.
