Collection Days

Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on a Wednesday this year, meaning that kerbside collections for Morrinsville and Te Aroha will fall one day later.

Matamata collections will continue as normal on Tuesdays.

The collection dates over the public holidays are as follows:

• Matamata rubbish - Tues 24 Dec
• Morrinsville rubbish - Thurs 26 Dec
• Te Aroha rubbish - Fri 27 Dec
• Matamata recycling - Tues 31 Dec
• Morrinsville recycling - Thurs 2 Jan
• Te Aroha recycling - Fri 3 Jan

Stay on top of any upcoming changes with our handy calendar here.

To check the Christmas hours for the transfer stations, click here.

Gift wrapping

For those of us who celebrate Christmas, the time has come to throw on Love Actually and wrap up our carefully selected gifts… but did you know that most wrapping paper can’t actually be recycled in your yellow bin?

Pure paper wrapping is okay, but foil or glitter wrapping, tissue paper, sticky tape, tags, and ribbons all need to go into your red rubbish bin. If you're not sure, try the scrunch test - if you're able to scrunch up a piece of wrapping paper, and it stays scrunched up, then it's probably safe to recycle.

If you want to avoid the extra landfill this year, try wrapping your gifts in something that can be reused, or has already been used before. For example, you could wrap presents in material, newspaper, old maps, takeaway menus, paper shopping bags, or reusable boxes - then you’re avoiding the waste and it might even start a new tradition.

Remember, if you do have extra rubbish this holiday season, then head to one of our transfer stations. See the opening hours and more here.

Kids Christmas Ideas

If you’re not keen on buying the kids in your life a load of plastic toys this Christmas, why not talk to them about things that they would really love beforehand?

Here are a few earth-friendly present ideas to get you started:

• Ask if they would like to visit one of their favourite places, like a playground or zoo.
• Buy them pot plants or vege seeds that you can water and watch grow together.
• Take them to a child-friendly show, concert, or play.
• Buy them some craft supplies and have a lovely crafternoon together.
• Fill their stockings with yummy food instead of toys

Wishing everyone in the Matamata-Piako District a safe and happy holiday season!