"While we're delighted by their enthusiasm, it's a bit early yet - our interim kerbside glass collection service starts in October."
Maiden advised people to find out more information about their first glass collection by visiting the council website.
A Mount Maunganui resident, who would not be named, said she had seen a "huge amount" of the new crates left on the side of the road this week, including some which also had milk bottles and other rubbish.
Another resident who wanted to remain anonymous said he had not seen the attached information and put his bin out when he saw neighbours doing it.
Environment Committee chairman Steve Morris said it was fantastic people were so keen to use the new service "but they need to wait until October to put their crates out".
Morris said when private collection companies stopped accepting glass for recycling at the kerbside in March this year, the council was concerned about the impact on the environment and city.
"To fill the gap, we proposed a council-led, rates-funded solution in the 2018-28 Long Term Plan, which was strongly supported by the community," Morris said.
"I'm really pleased that we've been able to implement this service so quickly and that residents will soon have the convenience of recycling glass bottles and jars at the kerbside again."
Tauranga is one of the last cities in New Zealand to move from privately-led to council-led kerbside collections, and will provide a full kerbside service for rubbish, mixed recycling and organic (garden and/or food) waste in 2021.
Lost your crate?
Any residents who have not received a crate by the end of September are encouraged to check with their neighbours before contacting the council. All crates have the property address they are allocated to on the side. Extra crates can be ordered from the council for $26 a year after October 1.
