Most Aucklanders are confident they know the rubbish removal rules: recyclables in one bin, rubbish in another, and bulky items out front on collection day. In reality, a surprising number of everyday objects need special handling to avoid causing harm to people, equipment, or the environment. What looks like a simple clear-out can actually involve materials that require careful sorting, recycling, or controlled disposal. ...

Most Aucklanders probably don’t think twice about what happens to their rubbish once it’s wheeled to the kerb or picked up by a collection truck. It disappears, job done, out of sight and out of mind. But what actually happens next is far less tidy than most people realise. ...

It should be simple: fill up the garden waste bin Auckland provides, or bag up a pile of clippings, and you’re done. But garden waste is one of those deceptively tricky jobs. Many Aucklanders find themselves scratching their heads over what counts as green waste, what to do with heavier junk like slabs or broken outdoor furniture, and how to handle piles of debris after a big DIY session. ...

If you’ve ever tried to get rid of an old mattress, you already know it is not as simple as dragging it to the kerb. Mattresses are bulky, heavy, and awkward to move. They don’t fit in standard bins, and most council services in Auckland won’t collect them as part of household rubbish. ...