A – Z of Reuse and Recycling
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Hato Hone St John Op Shop, 29 York Street; Russell Public Library (located at the back of the Museum on 2 York Street); or in the entrance of the Russell Boating Club, 46 Matauwhi Road
Soft plastic recycling – recycling bins available at New World, Woolworths or The Warehouse in Kerikeri
If they’re still useable or repairable, give them away on Freebies in Russell or The Russell Noticeboard facebook groups. Smaller items, including functioning electrical items, can be given to Hato Hone St John Op Shop, 29 York Street.
Soft plastic recycling – recycling bins available at New World, Woolworths or The Warehouse in Kerikeri
If they are in good condition, you can give them to Hato Hone St John Op Shop, 29 York Street or FIXation, 19 York Street. FIXation also accept fabrics and clothing that needs fixing!
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Don’t pour cooking oil down the drain as it’s bad for the environment and clogs up drains.
If you have only small amounts of cooking oil and you have a compost heap, you can gradually add it through your compost heap over time. If you have large amounts, there are various companies offering a collection service – Google is your friend.
Otherwise, to dispose, mix it through other general waste such as cat litter or sawdust, or put it into a container with a lid and put the whole thing in your rubbish bin.
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station (Plastics numbered 5)
Any Colgate products can be recycled through the Colgate Oral Carefree Recycling Programme with Terracycle.
Keep old toothbrushes for scrubbing in tight spots when cleaning around the house.
Unfortunately not recycled yet (but watch this space), so put them in household rubbish. Please don’t put them into cardboard recycling as they contain plastic and aluminium as well!
If they’re still in good condition, give them away on Freebies in Russell or The Russell Noticeboard facebook groups. If they’re no longer in good condition, contact Bay of Islands Animal Rescue or the SPCA in Kerikeri to see if they have a good use for them!
Russell Transfer Station accepts E-Waste. Some items are charged for, more information can be found here.
Many electrical items can be given to Hato Hone St John Op Shop, 29 York Street, providing they still work. For items that no longer work but can be repaired, try giving them away on Freebies in Russell Facebook group before recycling them.
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Can be fed to the worms at Russell Transfer Station. They’re fussy eaters, so please no citrus fruit, onion, garlic, chilli, coffee grounds, dairy products, fish or meat.
Although they’re vegan for the most part, they do like eggshells. Oh, and they even eat used paper tissues!
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station, lids removed. Window glass, drinking glasses, and glass cookware cannot be recycled.
Home composting or Russell Transfer Station (green waste is charged for). Please bag up noxious weeds and pest plants which could spread into the environment in household rubbish bags instead. You can find more information on the Weedbusters website.
The Russell Quarry also accepts green waste – 5726 Russell Whakapara Road, Phone: 0204488400
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
The Resene ColorShop in Kerikeri accepts unwanted paint under their PaintWise scheme. You are welcome to bring back any brand of decorative paint. A small charge applies to non-Resene branded product to help offset the costs of the PaintWise programme.
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Soft plastic recycling – recycling bins available at New World, Woolworths or The Warehouse in Kerikeri
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station, lids off please
Plastics numbered 1, 2, and 5 can be recycled free of charge at Russell Transfer Station.
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Plastic pots and stakes made from polypropylene (Plastic number 5) can be recycled free of charge at Russell Transfer Station.
If they’re still useable, try giving them away on the Freebies in Russell Facebook group.
Unfortunately no recycling available in Kororāreka Russell. However, if you’re driving down to Auckland, you can drop them off on your way at various recycling points: List of Polystyrene Recycling Collection Points
Hato Hone St John Op Shop, 29 York Street.
If they’re too far gone: free metal recycling at Russell Transfer Station.
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station, please rinse beforehand
Home compost or, in small quantities, feed to the worms at Russell Transfer Station.
Hato Hone St John Op Shop, 29 York Street
At Russell Transfer Station (for current charges see here).
Whiteware such as fridges, freezers, washing machines, dryers, dishwashers, ovens, and cookers/cooktops can be recycled free of charge at Russell Transfer Station
Wood can be recyled at Russell Transfer Station (there is a charge).
If it’s suitable for woodworking projects, check if The Shed would like it.
Free of charge at Russell Transfer Station, please rinse beforehand.
Please note: Small pottles/multi-pack yoghurts are currently not recycled. Fresh’n’fruity are planning to make these recyclable by mid-2026. In the meantime, they need to go in the household rubbish.
