WasteCo awarded multimillion dollar waste contract

MEDIA RELEASE
22 May 2025
WasteCo awarded multimillion dollar waste management contract by Ashburton District
Council
Christchurch based NZX company WasteCo is proud to announce it has been awarded a
nine-year contract by Ashburton District Council to deliver comprehensive waste
management services to more than 12,000 households and facilities across the district, with
the option of a further nine-year extension.
The $40 million contract involves kerbside rubbish and recycling collection, running the
district’s resource recovery parks in Ashburton and Rakaia, and operating school and rural
recycling drop-off sites.
WasteCo Chief Executive David Peterson says the company is thrilled with the outcome and
is the first major waste contract awarded to WasteCo in the Canterbury region and marks a
significant milestone in the company’s continued national growth.
“We are excited to partner with Ashburton District Council and to work closely with the
Ashburton community,” says Peterson. “This contract allows us to deliver innovative, future-
focused waste solutions that will enhance service delivery, environmental performance, and
community outcomes.
“This contract will support 23 full time employees, and we will buy nine new collection
vehicles and associated plant. It will start from 1 September 2026,” says Peterson.
Ashburton District Council Mayor Neil Brown said it was Council’s longest and largest
contract, and Council had evaluated three tenders as part of the selection process.
“This is a significant contract as almost every household in the district uses solid waste
services, whether they put their bins out at the kerb or visit a rural drop-off or recovery park,
and it needs to run smoothly while representing the best value for money for ratepayers,”
says Mayor Neil Brown.
The contract includes kerbside collection of general refuse, recycling, and a new Food
Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) service, which will be introduced to 12,300
households. WasteCo will also manage public place litter and recycling bins, event waste
services, illegal dumping, and the full operation of two Resource Recovery Parks, 13 recycling
drop-off sites, and services for 21 schools across the district.

David Peterson said a key reason WasteCo secured the contract was its strong focus on
technology, innovation, and the ability to provide Council with real-time data and
performance reporting.
The contract will see the introduction of:
• Weekly FOGO bin collection using smart trucks with bin-weighing technology
• Real-time GPS tracking and performance monitoring
• Enhanced contamination reporting and customer self-service tools
• A new Re-Use Shop at Ashburton RRP to support waste diversion and community
initiatives
“We see this contract as a platform to drive further growth in the Ashburton region while
supporting the district’s sustainability and waste reduction goals,” says Peterson. “At
WasteCo, we believe waste management should be about more than collection, it’s about
building a resilient, circular economy that benefits everyone.”
As a Toitū Enviromark Diamond-certified provider and member of WasteMINZ, WasteCo is
committed to environmental stewardship and best-practice waste solutions. The company
will also explore solar power options for Council facilities and invest in hybrid and electric
fleet options over the life of the contract.
All collected recyclables will be processed through nominated facilities in Christchurch and
Timaru, while residual waste will be transported to Kate Valley via Council’s contracted
transporter.
ENDS
For more information, please contact:
Erin Jamieson |Media Contact – WasteCo
erin@conv.co.nz 021 743 237