Auckland Council backs move towards smaller kerbside rubbish bins

In a tight vote, Auckland's councillors approved a more aggressive approach towards smaller kerbside rubbish bin sizes, with the aim of reducing the amount of waste being taken to tips.

It means 80 litre bins are set to become the default option and, after consultation, people could end up paying more for larger bins.

Deputy mayor Desley Simpson was one of those who voted for the change.

However Manurewa-Papakura Ward Councillor Daniel Newman said the default of a 120 litre kerbside bin collected weekly was widely accepted.

Changing that would be "highly contentious across every Auckland postcode", he said in a statement.

"There are countless risks with where Council could be heading: significantly higher prices for larger bins; an increase of illegal dumping if the default bin size were to drop from 120 to 80 litres; and choice around bin sizes remain only available to landlords but not tenants."