Welcome to Coastal Bins

Murray has had 18 years’ experience in the waste industry. Formally an Operations Manager overseeing the Hamilton City and Waikato District Council kerbside contracts. This was followed by 6 years setting up his own waste company in Te Awamutu, that won the prestigious ‘Waipa Supreme Business Award’ in 2008. Murray was also a Finalist for the ‘Waikato Business Leader of the Year’ in 2009. This successful business was sold in 2012.

Following a brief stint owning a hardware business at Tairua, Murray returned to the industry as Area Manager in Taranaki for one of NZ‘s largest waste companies. His role in Taranaki included overseeing the start-up of the new three council kerbside contracts, including 13 Refuse Transfer Stations, commissioning a new recycling recovery centre as well as growing the branch’s Commercial interests. “Taranaki was a great time for me” say’s Murray. “I worked with some great people at all three councils. I also thoroughly enjoyed getting involved with the waste collection from offshore oil operations. That really made you think outside the square, providing an efficient collection service to an oil rig 40 miles offshore in a range of extreme weather conditions.”

Murray was attracted back to the Coromandel area to become the local Area Manager for a waste company based in Thames, a position he held for 16 months. “Unfortunately that role didn’t work out for me, but I loved the area so much I wanted to stay. Starting Coastal Bins allows me to continue in the industry I enjoy as well as reside in the best place this great country has to offer”.

Murray and his school teacher wife Kirsty live on a lifestyle block at Turua. Both are keen fisher people, when not tending to their Hereford cattle and developing their block. Murray and Kirsty have six children and eight grandchildren. Murray was born and bred in Te Awamutu, he started his working career in the NZ Army and is a qualified diesel mechanic.

Murray is an active committee member of the Tairua / Pauanui sports fishing club

Murray’s business philosophy is simple…

“While price should be competitive, it is service that counts.”

To be “Truly Local” you don’t have to look any further than Michael Barlow. Born and bred in Thames, he has lived 38 of his 42 years in the Thames Coromandel/Hauraki Area, He attended Thames South School then onto Thames High School and to this day he still calls his Teachers Mr and Mrs, that’s how much respect he still has for them all.

Michael says his working career started off slowly, not wanting to work, just wanting to have fun. Eventually he did say hello to the work force, where he literally jumped over the fence from his Grandmothers on Ngati Maru Highway to Wallace Meats (formally Coromandel Meat Processes). This is where he made his home for the next 11 years, from handing out overalls, cleaning locker rooms to eventually becoming Site Manager.

Michael’s next local job was in the Waste Industry, overseeing 14 Transfer Stations and District Wide Kerbside Waste and Recycle Collections on behalf of Thames Coromandel, Hauraki and Matamata-Piako District Councils. Eventually he would be handed the reigns in South Waikato looking after Kerbside Recycling collections on behalf of the Waipa District Council. His last role was as Operations Manager. This role covered all of the above and also included a Materials Recovery Facility as well as some aspects of Commercial waste.

During his time in the waste industry, Michael says he has met some wonderful people, from the top of the Coromandel to the bottom of the Waipa District, “Starting Coastal Bins with Murray, gives me the opportunity to further these connections but also allows me to continue in an Industry that I am so passionate about” say’s Michael.

Michael is married to Stella and has 6 children.

Michael is currently Chairperson for Te Tonga O Hoterini Kohanga Reo, located in the old Dental Clinic at Thames South School; he also sits on the Establishment Board of the Thames Business Association.
Michael loves fishing with whanau and friends and is an avid supporter of the Wish 4 Fish Charity.

Michael has always been a firm believer of the following “Golden Rule”

“Treat others how you want to be treated”