Asbestos

Council does not accept any asbestos at the Transfer Stations. Please refer to the Yellow Pages under Asbestos. 

For Health and Safety requirements contact the Department of Labour on 0800 209 020. For testing of material that has suspected asbestos content contact Toi Te Ora Public Health on (07) 571 8975 and ask for the Health Protection Unit.

Batteries

To find out more about different battery types and their recycling options see the Ministry for the Environment website. 

• Car batteries can be dropped of free of charge at recycle centres at the Transfer Stations 
   
• Cell phone batteries can be taken to any Vodafone or Telecom retail outlet. You can also send them free of charge to Freepost 223107, Vodafone Handset Recycling Programme, Private Bag 208013, Auckland.
   
• Nicam batteries batteries (used in cordless power tools, laptop computers, shavers, motorised toys, personal stereos) can be taken to the annual HazMobile Event or dropped off at the Recycling Centre at the Transfer Stations. 
   
• Alkaline batteries (AA, AAA, C, D) can be left at the Recycling Centre at the Transfer Stations or recycled through Recytech. Call 09 441 0054 to discuss prices for collection. 
   
• Hearing aid batteries can be taken to the Tauranga Hearing Association, 1342 Cameron Road, Greerton, Tauranga 578 6476

Electronic Waste

Electronic waste contains reusable resources and potentially harmful materials. Computer monitors, hard drives and associated accessories (mice, keyboards etc) can be recycled. Contact ITS on 07 571 6399, Computer Recyclers NZ on 07 571 1588 or RCN on 09 413 8533. 

For more information on electronic waste see the Sustainability website.

Fluorescent Tubes including Eco-Bulbs

Fluorescent tubes and Eco-bulbs can be taken to Rexel Electrical Supplies, 63 St John Street, Tauranga, 578 3886 for recycling. This is a charged service to ensure the bulbs are correctly recycled. The charges include: 

• $2 excl GST per Eco-bulb or fluorescent tube

For large quantities of fluorescent tubes or Eco-bulbs, boxes can be bought from Rexel Electrical Supplies, 63 St John St, Tauranga, 578 3886.

For large quantities of fluorescent tubes or Eco-bulbs, boxes can be bought at the following prices:

• 50 tubes box - $50
• 100 tubes box - $100
•  Eco bulbs - 100 bulbs box - $110

This cost covers the collection and recycling through Interwaste. You can contact Interwaste direct on 0800 102 131.

Medical Waste 

Medical waste is not accepted at the Transfer Stations. Businesses should contact one of the following contractors for appropriate disposal of medical waste: 

• Transpacific Technical Services - 09 274 7963
• Interwaste - 0800 102 131
• Toi Te Ora Public health - 571 8975 for further advice

Paints - Oil and Water Based

Resene Paint shop will accept Resene paints free and other brands at a cost for recycling of the tins and processing of the paint 578 4169. 

Placemakers at the Mount and Tauranga will accept any paint. As long as it is not in a rusted can and does not contain any type of thinner. This can be dropped off in the bins provided.

Paints - Lead Based

Lead based paint (in a can) can no longer be purchased. If you have old lead based paints at home these can be disposed of as a hazardous waste at the Transfer Station.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms only present as hazardous waste in large quantities. For individual smoke alarms it is acceptable to put it out in your normal rubbish disposal. Every cubic metre of New Zealand soil, on average, contains naturally occurring radioactive material equivalent to about thirteen smoke detectors. 

For more information see the National Radiation Laboratory website.

Solvents

• Will be accepted by Solvent Recovery for processing and resale. Contact Phil on 027 488 2075.

For any further information on hazardous waste types see the Ministry for the Environment website.