EnviroWaste is offering householders an alternative to Auckland Council's controversial plans to ditch bags.

Claims of "dirty tactics" are being made as a private rubbish company offers householders an alternative to controversial council plans to ditch bags and force the use of bins.

A North Shore councillor says private contractors are trying to undermine Auckland Council's efforts to look after the environment.

But EnviroWaste says it is just offering choice.

SIMON SMITH/STUFF The new rubbish tags are bought on a pay-as-you-go basis.

The firm is circulating a newsletter offering the free removal of Auckland Council recycling bins, replacing them with five, free prepaid rubbish bags and the continuation of its own yellow rubbish bag collection service.

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However, the recycling bins are what residents are to use for the new council "pay as you throw" wheelie bin rubbish collection starting on the North Shore on April 9.

Auckland Council is pitching the new service as more cost-effective and more environmentally friendly than the current system, by keeping costs low and keeping plastic bags out of landfill.

North Shore ward councillor Chris Darby said, amidst the news of the launch of this new service, he was alerted to EnviroWaste's newsletter by residents.

EnviroWaste's tactic risks confusing people at the time Auckland Council was introducing its service. "They are taking advantage of those unsure about the new rubbish service. It's dirty tactics," Darby said.

MAHVASH ALI/STUFF Auckland's old 140-litre recycling bin, with a blue body and yellow lid, will make a comeback on the kerbside.

"They are also offering to uplift the council's property without Auckland Council's consent," Darby added.

"Auckland Council is responding to 'smarten up' waste and recycling services.

"Competitors are cherry picking profits, and continuing with bag services, which is perpetuating putting bags into landfills," Darby said.

EnviroWaste spokesperson Joanne Keane said the North Shore has been a competitive "user pays" market for more than 15 years and there are currently four key operators providing kerbside refuse collection services, including the council.

"EnviroWaste is providing competition in the market, not undermining a council service," Keane said.

"Auckland Council has elected to discontinue bags in favour of bins, while EnviroWaste will continue to offer bags, as it has done for over 15 years.

"A potentially more cost-effective way, depending on the volume of refuse the household produces," Keane said.

"A householder can return their council bin and EnviroWaste is merely assisting the householder to do this [by returning bins to council]. We are not offering fixed payment plans on our bags."

The "pay as you throw service" begins on April 9. Tags are available from supermarkets, and are attached to the left-hand bin handle on the same rubbish day as usual.

Bin tags are $2.60 for an 80 litre bin and $3.80 for a 140 litre bin.