Western Bay residents are being asked to temporarily curb their kerbside glass recycling efforts to ensure their empties don't end up in the landfill.
Western Bay of Plenty District Council's kerbside collection service is currently operating at a reduced level due to Covid-19 staff shortages with neither the glass crate or food scraps bin being collected until further notice.
However, the removal of the two bins has seen eager recyclers pop their glass items in the yellow lid recycling bin, where it can go on to cause problems.
Council deputy chief executive and infrastructure services group manager Gary Allis says glass cannot be placed in the yellow lid bin at any time because if it breaks in a recycling truck the entire load is contaminated and will go to landfill as glass shards stick to paper and cardboard and cannot be processed.
The recycling facility where all other recycling material is currently being sent to, is also not set up for glass handling.