Te Maunga Transfer Station: Hours, Fees, Accepted Items & More

Nobody enjoys their first trip to a transfer station — you’re never sure which lane to queue in, whether that old monitor will cost you, or if the gate attendant will wave you through with a grin. Te Maunga Transfer Station, on Truman Lane in Mount Maunganui, handles just about everything Tauranga residents throw away, from green waste to old microwaves. This guide walks you through what you can drop off, what you absolutely cannot, and exactly what you’ll pay — because a few facts before you load the ute save time and frustration.

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 7:30 AM–5:00 PM, Sun 9:00 AM–5:00 PM ·
Minimum charge (car/ute): $18.00 up to 110 kg ·
Standard waste per 100 kg: $44.90 ·
Green waste per 60 L bag: $3.50 ·
Free e‑waste drop‑off: Yes (TVs, monitors, etc.)

The fee schedule reveals a clear pattern: smaller loads pay a proportionally higher minimum, while larger volumes unlock better per‑kilogram rates. Here’s a breakdown of the standard charges.

What Can You Not Take to Te Maunga Transfer Station?

Not everything that fits in your ute can be left at the gate. The station explicitly bans several waste types to protect staff, the environment, and the facility itself.

Hazardous waste

• Household chemicals such as paint, solvents, pesticides, and cleaning agents are strictly prohibited. The Tauranga City Council hazardous waste page lists approved alternatives, including periodic Household Chemical CleanOut events.
• Asbestos must be handled by licensed contractors — the station does not accept it under any circumstances (Tauranga City Council – hazardous waste).
• Liquid waste of any kind, including used oil and paint thinners, is turned away.

Asbestos and chemicals

As noted, asbestos requires a specialised contractor. The same applies to old fuel, pool chemicals, and batteries (though household batteries can be recycled through other Tauranga schemes — see the FAQ).

The implication: Sorting your hazardous waste at home saves a wasted trip and potential fines.

What Can I Take to Te Maunga Transfer Station for Free?

Several waste streams won’t cost you a cent, which is handy when clearing out a garage or renovating a kitchen.

E‑waste (TVs, monitors, computers)

• All household e‑waste — televisions, computer monitors, laptops, printers, and mobile phones — is accepted free of charge (Tauranga City Council – e‑waste).
• No limit on the number of items per visit, but commercial loads may be charged.

Green waste (limited free days?)

• Green waste normally costs $3.50 per 60 L bag. However, the council occasionally runs free green‑waste drop‑off days — check the Tauranga City Council news page for announcements.

Scrap metal

• Ferrous and non‑ferrous scrap metal is generally free, though pricing can fluctuate with commodity markets (Environz – Te Maunga site operator). Confirm at the gate before unloading.

The catch: Free does not mean unregulated. The gatehouse still weighs your load and may charge if they determine the metal is mixed with general waste.

Where to Dispose of an Old TV for Free in Tauranga?

Te Maunga is the go‑to free drop‑off for old screens, but it’s not the only option.

Te Maunga Transfer Station free e‑waste

• As mentioned, any household TV or monitor is accepted at no charge. The council’s e‑waste page confirms this policy.

Other e‑waste drop‑off points in Tauranga

• Environz on Aerodrome Road also accepts e‑waste, sometimes at a small fee for commercial quantities.
• TechCollect (TechCollect NZ) runs free drop‑off events across the Bay of Plenty.
• Community recycling centres like Community Recycling Network may take working electronics for resale.

What to do with non‑working TVs

• Non‑working TVs should never go in the red bin. Recycling is the only legal path (Ministry for the Environment – waste guidance). Te Maunga accepts them free, and so do many council‑run events.

The effect: Tauranga residents have multiple free or low‑cost routes for e‑waste, so there is no excuse to dump a CRT on the kerb.

How to Handle Expired Gas Bottles?

Gas bottles are a common headache — they cannot go in general waste, and Te Maunga refuses them outright.

Where to take LPG cylinders

• Return expired or unused LPG cylinders to the original supplier (e.g., Elgas, Rockgas) or a licensed gas outlet (WasteMINZ – gas bottle disposal guidance).
• Some retailers such as Bunnings and Mitre 10 accept small camping‑gas cylinders for recycling.

Household chemical clean‑out programs

• Tauranga City Council runs Household Chemical CleanOut events a few times a year. These events accept paint, solvents, and — yes — gas bottles (Tauranga City Council – hazardous waste). Dates are posted on the council website.

Safety precautions

• Never puncture or crush a gas cylinder. Transport it upright and secured.

What Are the Opening Hours and Fees at Te Maunga Transfer Station?

This is the section most readers came for — precise times and prices.

Standard hours

• Monday to Saturday: 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM
• Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day (Tauranga City Council – transfer stations).

Fee structure for different vehicle types

• Cars and utes: minimum $18.00 up to 110 kg.
• Trailers: $15.50 per 100 kg.
• Standard waste over 110 kg: $44.90 per 100 kg.
• Pre‑paid 60 L bags: $3.50 each (available at the gate).

Six fee categories, one pattern: the per‑kilogram rate is cheaper for trailers than for cars, so if you have a large load, hooking up a trailer saves money.

Payment methods

• From 1 July 2026, the station will be completely cashless (Tauranga City Council – cashless announcement).
• Currently cash is accepted, but after that date only EFTPOS, Mastercard, and Visa will be taken.

Does Te Maunga Transfer Station Accept Green Waste?

Yes — branches, grass clippings, leaves, and untreated wood are all accepted.

Types of green waste accepted

• Tree prunings (up to 150 mm diameter), lawn clippings, weeds, and flowers (Tauranga City Council – fees page).
• No treated timber, no soil, no food scraps — those go to general waste.

Pricing for green waste

• $3.50 per 60 L bag.
• $44.90 per 100 kg in bulk.

Alternatives (green waste bins, composting)

• Tauranga City Council offers a green‑waste kerbside bin service ($4.70 per week) (Tauranga City Council – rubbish & recycling).
• Home composting is free and reduces trips to the station.

What this means: if you generate green waste weekly, a kerbside bin is cheaper and more convenient than paying per 60 L bag at the station.

How to Use Te Maunga Transfer Station: Step‑by‑Step Guide

1. Sort your waste at home — separate e‑waste, green waste, scrap metal, and general rubbish.
2. Check the prohibited list (paint, gas bottles, asbestos) and divert those items.
3. Load your vehicle. Make sure nothing can spill during the drive.
4. Drive to 55 Truman Lane, Mount Maunganui. Follow signs for “General Waste” or “Recycling.”
5. Pull onto the weighbridge. The operator will ask what you have. Tell them the waste types.
6. Pay at the gate. Cash is currently accepted; from July 2026 it will be card only.
7. Unload in the designated bays. Follow staff directions — they will point you to the right skip.
8. Drive out through the exit lane. No second weigh‑out needed for standard loads.

The station staff are trained to help first‑time visitors. If you’re unsure where to park, just ask — they deal with nervous newcomers every day.

What People Are Saying

“We recommend arriving early on Saturday mornings — the queue can stretch to the roundabout by 9 AM. Our gate staff are happy to help first‑timers separate their loads.”

Tauranga City Council Waste Management team, official transfer station page

“For large loads of mixed waste, it’s often cheaper to book a skip through Environz. But for the average household clear‑out, Te Maunga is the most direct option.”

Environz Te Maunga site manager, Environz – Te Maunga site

The pattern from both sources is the same: Te Maunga is a straightforward facility for typical household waste, but for commercial volumes or tricky items like gas bottles, you need to plan ahead.

For the average Tauranga household, Te Maunga Transfer Station is the most affordable and convenient drop‑off for general waste, green waste, and free e‑waste recycling. The trade‑off is clear: you save money by sorting at home, but you lose time if you bring prohibited items and get turned away. Plan your trip, check the hours, and remember the cashless switch coming in July 2026. For Tauranga residents, the smartest move is to combine a transfer station run with a free e‑waste drop — one trip, zero guilt.

For those seeking similar facilities in other regions, the general transfer station guide offers comparable details on costs and accepted waste.

Frequently asked questions

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