The red rubbish bin is collected every two weeks. This is for all items that can’t go in the green or yellow bin, except hazardous items and chemicals which can be dropped for free at the EcoDrop.
These items must go in the red bin:
Common soft plastic items include:
If you're unsure, you can search for specific items on our Wheelie Bins app.
Soft plastics can’t be recycled in the yellow bin and should only go in the red bin or the soft plastic takeback bins(external link). When soft plastic gets mixed up with recycling it can mean the whole truckload ends up in landfill, here’s why:
The soft plastic takeback scheme returned to Christchurch on 15 February 2021.
For information and locations, please visit the Soft Plastic Recycling website(external link).
For a list of firewood suppliers which have been reviewed and accredited by Environment Canterbury please visit Warmer Cheaper(external link)(external link).
You can take most of these items to your local EcoDrop or a transfer station for disposal.
Helpful tip to reduce your waste.
The Christchurch bins app has a handy lookup tool so you can find out what goes in each bin as well as reminders to take the bins out each week.