The first step in a new green-waste programme for the Waitaki district takes place today with the first of weekly Greenwaste Saturday afternoons at the Oamaru landfill.
The programme by the Waitaki District Council, aimed at reducing the amount of waste going into its landfills, may also include subsidising composting bins to encourage residents to use their waste in the future.
From today, the Oamaru landfill will only accept rubbish until noon, then close.
The site will reopen from 1pm to 4pm when residents will be able to take green waste only.
No rubbish would be accepted, the council's solid waste officer, Gerry ONeill, said yesterday.
The green waste would be mulched and used to grow grass on the landfill cap.
Green waste included such material as branches, prunings, lawn clippings.
Gorse, broom, flax and cabbage tree leaves would not be accepted.
Allowing people to take their green waste to the landfill for mulching would make it more affordable for people with bulky branches and prunings than paying by volume at the district's transfer stations.
A minimum charge of $10 applies for green waste.
The site will now close at 4pm on a Saturdays, rather than 6pm in summer and 5pm in winter.
