Putting the weekly rubbish bag on the kerb will soon cost a little more as the cost of getting rid of waste increases.

Hauraki District Council will increase the price of its pre-paid yellow household refuse bags and rubbish disposal charges to its Refuse Transfer Stations from May 20.

Council engineering group manager Adrian de Laborde says because it's a user-pays system, landfill charges and the cost of yellow refuse bags needed to go up to cover the increasing cost to council to get rid of waste.

'Fees and charges related to getting rid of rubbish in the Hauraki District haven't changed for five years.

'In that time, there have been significant changes in the industry overall, including rising costs in maintenance, operation, disposal fees and carbon tax/Emissions Trading Scheme charges.”

Hauraki district Mayor John Tregidga says the three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle, are even more important now as the cost of getting rid of rubbish continues to rise.

'We hope the changes will encourage our people to reduce the amount of rubbish they create, which is better for our environment.

'Reducing the amount of rubbish we create at home will conserve natural resources, landfill space and energy, and save land and money that communities must use to dispose of waste in landfills.”

From May 20, yellow rubbish bags for kerbside collection will cost $2.80.

Refuse Transfer Station charges for rubbish will be: single bag, $4; car boot, $12.60; station wagon, $25; small ute/trailer, $63; large ute/trailer, $125; truck or bulk load, $206.50 per tonne.

Refuse Transfer Station charges for green waste will cost: single bag, $2.70; car boot, $8; station wagon, $16; small ute/trailer, $40; large ute/trailer, $80; truck or bulk load, $135 per tonne.

The full schedule of fees for rubbish disposal can be viewed on the council website, www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz.