Rubbish, recycling and waste
Find everything you need to manage your rubbish and recycling in South Wairarapa. From collection days and transfer stations to sorting your waste correctly and reducing what you send to landfill, get the right information here.
Whether you’re a resident, business, or event organiser, we’re here to help you manage waste responsibly and protect our environment.
Quick links
- Check your collection day
- Find a transfer or recycling station
- What goes in each bin
- Report illegal dumping
Collection and drop-off
Rubbish and recycling collection
If you pay the refuse collection charge in your rates, you receive a kerbside rubbish and recycling service.
Urban collections take place:
- Greytown – Tuesday
- Martinborough – Wednesday
- Featherston – Thursday
Transfer and recycling stations
In South Wairarapa, there is one transfer station located in Martinborough and three recycling stations, in Featherston, Greytown, and Pirinoa.
General refuse can only be dropped off at the Martinborough Transfer Station. All four sites accept recycling, green waste, and electronic waste.
Sorting and understanding waste
Sorting your rubbish and recycling
Learn what goes in each bin, where to buy official Council rubbish bags, and how to replace wheelie bins or glass crates.
What happens to your rubbish and recycling
When we recycle correctly, we help protect the environment and reduce landfill. But where does our recycling end up, and what happens to New Zealand’s waste?
Reducing waste and responsibility
Business and event waste
We want to support local businesses with their waste minimisation and management, and event organisers, stall holders, and food and drink vendors in our district to reduce the amount of waste created at events. Find useful information and resources below.
Ways to reduce your waste
One way to reduce your waste is to compost. Composting is not only good for the garden but good for the planet. Composting also helps reduce the amount of rubbish you throw away, which saves you money on those yellow bags and can cut the amount of waste going into our landfills by about 35 per cent.
Illegal rubbish dumping
Rubbish dumping is an offence under the Litter Act 1979. Council officers can issue infringement notices, and offenders can be prosecuted and fined up to $5000.
If you see illegal dumping or find dumped rubbish, report it:
- Contact the Council on 06 306 9611
- Report it via our website
- Use the Antenno app
- Email enquiries@swdc.govt.nz
Waste strategies and resources
Learn about Council’s waste minimisation plans, strategies, and helpful resources for reducing waste in our district.
Useful links
Urban rubbish and recycling calendar 2026-27