Residents are reminded that Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's waste contractors will now only empty waste from the new red bins, and those collections will now occur fortnightly instead of weekly.

Council's decision to take a leadership role and make sweeping changes to the domestic waste collection service was finalised in December 2013. It has involved months of planning and the rollout of a comprehensive community education campaign.

It has been one of council's most contentious issues this year and resulted in the formation of a vocal community group opposing the drawback of rubbish collection services and the cessation of the once yearly free bulky waste kerbside pick-up, criticising council for its lack of community consultation on the issue.

Council's director of development and environment Matt Rogers said despite some initial concern, more than 94 per cent of Hastings residents have opted for the fortnightly red bin service.

"After much planning and organising, the new domestic garbage collection service begins today," Mr Rogers said.

"Council would like to thank the community for its cooperation during the 'Choose Your Bin' process. Ninety-four per cent of residents chose a fortnightly red bin service which demonstrates a sound community understanding of the benefit of recycling and reducing waste to landfill."

Data from council's waste management facilities have shown that more than 58 per cent of rubbish placed in red bins and disposed of as landfill, could actually be recycled or mulched with green waste.

According to Mr Rogers, with landfill costing ratepayers three times as much to process and dispose of than food and green waste, more than $500,000 annually in state government waste levies could be saved if rubbish was sorted correctly.

Residents will be able to retain their old red bins for storage purposes after the new service commences or leave them upside down on the kerb from September 8 to be taken away for recycling.