Work on analysing the 6129 submissions to Hastings and Napier's draft joint Waste Management and Minimisation Plan has started.
Residents in Napier and Hastings have been asked to comment on options for minimising and better managing waste.
"The response has been outstanding. The more input we can have into the decision-making process, the more likely we are to come to a conclusion that we can all support," said Tania Kerr, Hastings deputy mayor and Joint Council Waste Futures Project Steering Committee chairperson.
"With this type of project, that is critical – the management of waste is hugely important and councils cannot do it on their own. Once we reach a decision, we need people to help us by committing to better managing their rubbish so we can reduce the amount going to the landfill."
Consultation on the six-year review of the joint plan had been running since late February.