Community Recycling Centre temporarily closed

Published on 10 May 2022

Cessnock City Council has temporarily closed its Community Recycling Centre (CRC) at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre. This has occurred due to a fire at the Sydney-based Cleanaway facility which receives recyclables and problem waste.

The CRC allows residents to dispose of problem waste items free of charge, such as paints, oils, gas cylinders, electronic waste and batteries. The program is funded by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Cleanaway is the contractor engaged to collect the waste.

With collections being impacted, and Council unable to collect and store excess problem waste, the majority of these items can’t be accepted until further notice. Items still being accepted include electronic waste, motor vehicle batteries and mattresses.

Despite these changes, Council’s free Chemical Cleanout event on Sunday 15 May will go ahead, and Council is encouraging residents to take advantage of this service. The event will take place from 9am to 3.30pm at Cessnock City Council’s Works Depot, 2082 Old Maitland Road, Cessnock.

Cessnock City Council’s Interim General Manager Robert Maginnity said the NSW EPA is working with Cleanaway and Council to get the full range of services up and running as soon as possible.

“We will keep the community up to date on the progress of this issue and hope to resume this service for our community shortly,” Robert said.

“If residents have any unwanted problem waste they wish to dispose of, I strongly encourage them to take advantage of the Chemical Cleanout this weekend.”

Please monitor Cessnock City Council’s website and Facebook page for further updates on the Community Recycling Centre closure.