Recycling & Waste Sorting in Christchurch

Most rubbish loads are a mix: genuinely useless waste tangled up with cardboard, metal, glass, and electronics that still have value. Rollerskips sorts what we collect so the recyclable fraction goes to the right stream instead of being buried. It costs you nothing extra — sorting is simply how we work.

Why sorting matters here

Christchurch runs a three-bin kerbside system — red for rubbish, yellow for recycling, green for organics — and the same logic applies at any scale. Clean recyclables keep their value only when they are separated from food waste, soft plastics, and general grime. A load that is pre-sorted, even roughly, diverts far more material than a mixed pile, and it keeps disposal costs down because recyclables and scrap metal carry lower gate fees than landfill.

What we separate

Cardboard and paper go to paper recycling, provided they are dry and reasonably clean. Steel, aluminium, copper, and other metals go to scrap dealers — from old appliances and roofing iron to bagfuls of cans. Glass bottles and jars go to glass recovery. E-waste such as computers, TVs, and small electronics is kept apart for dedicated e-waste processing because of the batteries and components inside. Timber offcuts, branches, and grass go to green waste and mulch streams.

What cannot be recycled at the kerb

Soft plastics, plastic bags, polystyrene, coffee cups, nappies, and broken ceramics belong in landfill — putting them in the yellow bin contaminates whole truckloads. Hazardous items like paint, solvents, chemicals, asbestos, gas bottles, and vehicle batteries need specialist drop-off, not a mixed load. If you are unsure about an item, ask us on 0800 475 500 before collection day and we will tell you the right stream.

Sorting at your place

You do not need to become a recycling expert. Keep three rough piles as you clear out: paper and cardboard, metals and e-waste, and everything else — plus a separate heap for branches and lawn waste. Bag the small stuff so it does not blow around, flatten boxes, and drain any liquids. We do the fine sorting after pickup.

The payoff

Sorted loads mean lower tip fees, more material recovered, and a clearer conscience about where your rubbish ends up. Whether it is an office cleanout full of paper and old monitors or a garage of mixed junk, Rollerskips makes sure Christchurch recycling actually gets recycled.