If you are visiting Aotea/Great Barrier Island on holiday, bring minimal packaging with you, choose reusable containers, BYO drink bottles and coffee cups. Pack in, pack out, and leave nothing behind.

For orange bags and wheelie bins, roadside collection happens from 8am Monday south of and including Claris to the crossroads; Tuesday for the rest of the island (Okupu, Whangaparapara and North).

All other waste needs to be taken to the Transfer Station in Claris: 66B Gray Road.

Auckland Council rubbish bags (orange bags) can be purchased from Stonewall Store, Claris Store, Port Fitzroy Store, and the Claris Service Centre.

You are able to purchase official 60L Auckland Council orange bags and clear recycling bags from the Aotea/Great Barrier Island Service Centre from Auckland Council building Claris from Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 4:30pm, as well as from general stores on Aotea. Prices may vary.

-Stonewall Store - 82 Blackwell Drive, Tryphena

• Port Fitzroy General Store - 2070 Aotea Road, Port Fitzroy

• Claris Store - 129 Hector Sanderson Road, Claris

• Mulberry Grove Store - 1 Mulberry Grove Road, Mulberry Grove

• Great Barrier Lodge - 735 Whangaparapara Road, Whangaparapara

Hang onto your waste, then drop it off at the Transfer Station.

There are no public bins on the island. This means no bins at Port Fitzroy, Whangaparapara, Tryphena/Shoal Bay wharves.

Waste left in these locations is illegal dumping, and fines of $400 may be issued. To report illegal dumping, call 0800 NO DUMP (663 867)

Recycling collection from the yellow bins is the same day as rubbish collection.

Anamata CRC is a drop-off point for recycling.

Auckland Council recycling bags can be purchased from Stonewall Store, Claris Store, Port Fitzroy Store, and the Claris Service Centre.

Download recycling guide here.

For fresh produce and non-perishable items, consider using the community pantries at:

• Anamata CRC

• Oruawharo/Medlands Community Gardens

• Mulberry Grove School

• Okiwi School, Mabey Road

• Canned food can also be left at the airport

For all other food waste, you may know of someone on the island who would like to feed their pigs or chickens, you may choose to recycle it in a compost, worm farm or bokashi system or there are community compost facilities free to use at:

• Community Gardens, next to St Johns church, Medlands

• Mulberry Grove School, Tryphena

• Anamata CRC, 66c Gray Road, Claris
  
  
  

Visitors can help the island to minimise waste by taking your waste away with you to dispose of responsibly on the mainland.

This is the best option for those visiting Aotea on private boats. We encourage visitors to think as much as possible about the rubbish they are creating as they pack, so they can keep it to an absolute minimum and lessen the environmental impact of their stay.