A service which provides drop-off bins to enable disposable nappy and incontinence products to be composted is receiving support from the Selwyn District Council.

North Canterbury company Envirocomp approached the Selwyn District Council last year to get support for its service, which deals with products that have previously gone directly to landfill.

SDC Solid Waste Manager Gavin Sole says he welcomed the initiative, which would encourage people to dispose of their nappies and other products in a much more environmentally-friendly manner, as well as providing an option to vastly reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill.

Envirocomp customers purchase composting bags, each of which will last approximately two weeks for an average baby. They also receive a "proximity card" which allows them to drop the bags into an Envirocomp bin, for later collection and treatment.

Envirocomp Director Karen Upston says with an increasing number of young families moving into Selwyn District, the company was getting inquiries about whether a drop-off bin could be placed in Rolleston. The company already operates a drop-off bin out of Annabel's Educare in Darfield.

Each automated bin costs around $10,000 because of its complex electronics, including being able to send a signal to the company when the bin is full.

A drop-off bin has been located at the Rolleston Community Centre for several months now and more people are finding out about the service all the time. Envirocomp has now had several requests from Lincoln and will also look at the possibility of extending the service there.

"While there is a charge to our customers for using the service, most find that they are able to reduce the size of their general waste bins and they end up either cost-neutral or making a saving. Plus they are doing the right thing for the environment," Ms Upston says.

The Selwyn District Council is contributing a subsidy of $1 per bag to the project, which makes the bags cheaper for the customer to purchase and has the potential to save the district thousands of dollars if less waste ends up in the landfill.

"This is a great initiative and we're certainly keen to get it off the ground in Selwyn District. Our neighbours in Waimakariri and Ashburton Districts are also subsidising this service," Mr Sole says.