Rural residents might not have to haul three wheelie bins up and down their driveways after the Auckland rubbish revamp.

A panel tasked with recommending to the Auckland Council how to standardise waste collection is suggesting a mix of bins and rubbish bags for rural areas.

"Some of the people with long, rough driveways came to talk to us in large numbers," panel chairwoman Noelene Raffills says.

But it'll be up to local boards and the council to decide where the urban-rural divide starts for rubbish collection.

If the proposal is adopted and includes rural parts of Papakura, it'll mean there'll be little change for residents who already use bags for rubbish and a bin for recycling.

But it's unclear if maintaining the status quo would cost rural people more.

There'd also be no kerbside collection of food or green waste because many rural residents already compost, Mrs Raffills says.

In urban areas initial figures show rubbish collection could cost between $2.50 and $7.50 per collection but there'd be no charge for recycling and green waste collection.

Education is also planned at helping South Auckland families reduce their rubbish bill under the proposed disposer pays scheme.

"In the southern initiative area there's a relatively high level of non-recycling," panel member councillor Richard Northey says. Some groups need more support to learn about recycling, which would help reduce the amount of rubbish put out and subsequently the cost to families, he says.

Working with churches, ethnic groups and schools could help get the message across, Mr Northey says.

A final decision on the makeup of the changes will be reached at a meeting on Friday.

The council's new waste management plan comes into force in 2015.

- © Fairfax NZ News