April 27, 2026
Constant contamination of recycling could force a rethink in the tourist town of Methven in Canterbury.
The Methven recycling drop-off depot has experienced a significant amount of contaminated recycling, the Methven Community Board heard at its meeting on Monday.
An estimated 3.5 tonnes of contaminated recycling has been redirected to landfill in the first three months of the year, which costs ratepayers an extra $2000.
The ongoing issues will be discussed in a report at the May 25 board meeting, where they will consider changing opening hours, possible fencing, or not accepting recycled goods other than those allowed in the kerbside bins.
Methven has a kerbside rubbish and recycling collection, but recyclable items can also be taken to the transfer station on the corner of Line Road and Methven Chertsey Road, with funding for its further development to be considered in the next long-term plan.
Board chairperson Megan Fitzgerald suggested it may be as simple as improving and simplifying the signage to clarify what can be dropped off at the facility.
The kerbside recycling isn’t faring much better and there are concerns that seasonal workers could exacerbate the issues, as well as the rising number of Airbnb properties.
Methven had 114 contaminated yellow bins in March, and 12 bins were removed from properties, with the council auditing recycling bins since 2021 under a three-strike rule.
The board had previously suggested the information stickers and posters highlighting what is acceptable in the yellow bins be redistributed around the town, but it is yet to happen.
Deputy chairperson Ritchie Owen supported the messaging being refreshed as the town is set for its “influx of potential winter workers coming to town” and recycling rules are different in different parts of the world, and the country.
Faye Barrand again pushed for an “updated sticker that people can put on their bin that would help reduce that contamination or just make people more aware of what can go in the bin”.
Mayor Liz McMillan suggested that it could already be on the way in conjunction with the rollout of green organic waste (food scraps and garden waste) kerbside collection in September.
Board chairperson Megan Fitzgerald said with the levels of contamination, “where we've lost three and a half tonnes to landfall in the first three months [of the year], that potentially we need to just jump the gun on September”.
“I welcome the report on May 25, looking at alternative options.
“But I would like to do the low-hanging fruit of marketing first.”
Other board business:
Discs and dogs
It was also noted that a nine-hole disc golf course is planned at Mt Hutt College Methven, and a further nine holes have been suggested for the green space in the Camrose Estate subdivision, alongside Grace Ireland Drive. That space was also included as a potential new off-leash dog area for the town in the dog control bylaw review, but the board felt that, with it being earmarked for a bike track and possibly disc golf, it may not be a suitable location.
Funding grants
The Methven Community Board approved funding to five applications from its discretionary grant. It approved $5,000 to Methven Toy Library for operational costs, $5,000 to Methven Primary School for purchasing iPads and protective cases, and $3,000 to Methven and Foothills Birdsong Trust for track development. Methven Firefighters Support Group received $1,000 for painting stationary pumps in the supporters group museum and Adventure Balloons received $1,000 to for the 2026 Fire and Ice Hot Air Balloon and Laser Festival. The next funding round is open for applications until May 4.
Footpath falls
The council is exploring options to improve the problems with the paved footpaths in Methven. Consultation on the Methven Strategic Community Plan last year again raised the issues of the paving stones being slippery and dangerous. Solutions, including treatments such as acid etching, are being looked at and a timeframe for the work has been requested by the board, but any upgrade or replacement would require significant investment. Chairperson Fitzgerald is encouraging the community to report any slips and falls caused by the pavers via Snap, Send, Solve, to help build a better picture of the issue rather than relying on anecdotal comments.
Welcome signs
The board supports the Methven Lions' plans to replace and potentially reposition the three welcome to Methven signs. Deputy chair Owen agreed the signs needed updating and supported the Lions-led project as long as the board had some oversight on the final designs.
By Jonathan Leask
Constant contamination of recycling could force a rethink in the tourist town of Methven in Canterbury.
The Methven recycling drop-off depot has experienced a significant amount of contaminated recycling, the Methven Community Board heard at its meeting on Monday.
An estimated 3.5 tonnes of contaminated recycling has been redirected to landfill in the first three months of the year, which costs ratepayers an extra $2000.
The ongoing issues will be discussed in a report at the May 25 board meeting, where they will consider changing opening hours, possible fencing, or not accepting recycled goods other than those allowed in the kerbside bins.
Methven has a kerbside rubbish and recycling collection, but recyclable items can also be taken to the transfer station on the corner of Line Road and Methven Chertsey Road, with funding for its further development to be considered in the next long-term plan.
Board chairperson Megan Fitzgerald suggested it may be as simple as improving and simplifying the signage to clarify what can be dropped off at the facility.
The kerbside recycling isn’t faring much better and there are concerns that seasonal workers could exacerbate the issues, as well as the rising number of Airbnb properties.
Methven had 114 contaminated yellow bins in March, and 12 bins were removed from properties, with the council auditing recycling bins since 2021 under a three-strike rule.
The board had previously suggested the information stickers and posters highlighting what is acceptable in the yellow bins be redistributed around the town, but it is yet to happen.
Deputy chairperson Ritchie Owen supported the messaging being refreshed as the town is set for its “influx of potential winter workers coming to town” and recycling rules are different in different parts of the world, and the country.
Faye Barrand again pushed for an “updated sticker that people can put on their bin that would help reduce that contamination or just make people more aware of what can go in the bin”.
Mayor Liz McMillan suggested that it could already be on the way in conjunction with the rollout of green organic waste (food scraps and garden waste) kerbside collection in September.
Board chairperson Megan Fitzgerald said with the levels of contamination, “where we've lost three and a half tonnes to landfall in the first three months [of the year], that potentially we need to just jump the gun on September”.
“I welcome the report on May 25, looking at alternative options.
“But I would like to do the low-hanging fruit of marketing first.”
Other board business:
Discs and dogs
It was also noted that a nine-hole disc golf course is planned at Mt Hutt College Methven, and a further nine holes have been suggested for the green space in the Camrose Estate subdivision, alongside Grace Ireland Drive. That space was also included as a potential new off-leash dog area for the town in the dog control bylaw review, but the board felt that, with it being earmarked for a bike track and possibly disc golf, it may not be a suitable location.
Funding grants
The Methven Community Board approved funding to five applications from its discretionary grant. It approved $5,000 to Methven Toy Library for operational costs, $5,000 to Methven Primary School for purchasing iPads and protective cases, and $3,000 to Methven and Foothills Birdsong Trust for track development. Methven Firefighters Support Group received $1,000 for painting stationary pumps in the supporters group museum and Adventure Balloons received $1,000 to for the 2026 Fire and Ice Hot Air Balloon and Laser Festival. The next funding round is open for applications until May 4.
Footpath falls
The council is exploring options to improve the problems with the paved footpaths in Methven. Consultation on the Methven Strategic Community Plan last year again raised the issues of the paving stones being slippery and dangerous. Solutions, including treatments such as acid etching, are being looked at and a timeframe for the work has been requested by the board, but any upgrade or replacement would require significant investment. Chairperson Fitzgerald is encouraging the community to report any slips and falls caused by the pavers via Snap, Send, Solve, to help build a better picture of the issue rather than relying on anecdotal comments.
Welcome signs
The board supports the Methven Lions' plans to replace and potentially reposition the three welcome to Methven signs. Deputy chair Owen agreed the signs needed updating and supported the Lions-led project as long as the board had some oversight on the final designs.
By Jonathan Leask
