A new kerbside recycling service planned by the Waitaki District Council could add $100 a year to the average rates bill.
The council is finalising its proposal for kerbside recycling, what it has termed "a contentious issue".
It has met the Waitaki Resource Recovery Trust and potential contractors to finalise the service it wants to introduce to reduce the amount of waste going to its Oamaru and Palmerston landfills, to extend their lives.
That follows a decision this year to abandon a "request for proposals" process in the face of public criticism over the three-bin system being proposed and its potential impact on the resource recovery trust, which operates the resource recovery park in Chelmer St.
The council is now proposing a one bin system for recyclables, although details are still being finalised.
What it will do is involve the trust in processing the recyclables.
The council's solid waste officer, Jerry O'Neill, said in a report prepared for the assets committee meeting this Tuesday, that a single recycling bin system had been approved in principle.
However, there was an issue involving glass, which was costly and difficult to deal with.
Options being investigated to handle glass included a container at the landfills, a separate glass collection or drop-off facilities.
Tender documents were being prepared for a one bin system, with recyclables being taken to the resource recovery trust for processing.
The trust will be a nominated sub-contractor of whomever won the contract.
Mr O'Neill estimated the kerbside service could cost $2.5 million over the next three years, which equated to about $100 a household a year.
