Pack in, pack out – why waste disposal costs more here and how to keep your costs down

11 December 2024
From your boat to the mainland, every item of rubbish that comes through the marina takes quite a journey. Here’s a little insight into why waste disposal has a price tag at Waiheke Marina and how you can help us protect this beautiful paradise.

At the marina, we charge $7 to dispose of a bag of rubbish (both landfill and recycling), which might be a surprise, but it’s necessary to cover the handling and transportation of waste to the mainland – no matter what type it is.

To keep our footprint on the island as light as possible, every bit of waste from Waiheke Marina leaves the island to be processed and disposed of. 

Here are some handy tips to help keep your waste costs down.  

Pack in, Pack Out – take it home if you can 

  • Trim packaging before you arrive – ditch unnecessary wraps and boxes onshore.
  • Repack items into reusable containers or beeswax wraps, avoiding one-time-use plastics.
  • Bring reusable water bottles – fill up at home to skip the single-use plastic.

 

For Fish and Shellfish 

  • Donate fish heads to Free Fish Heads for a no-waste approach (check for local drop-off points).
  • Make your own berley from shellfish and fishing scraps instead of buying it in a plastic bag.

 

Recycling 

We don’t offer free recycling, and recommend taking your recycling back to your home base or using the council’s facilities.

  • To prevent odours onboard, rinse out all containers or store it in the anchor well 
  • Recycle glass bottles, jars, cans, paper, cardboard, and most plastic packaging.