Waste Vouchers

Good news! You're already signed up! All you need to do is download or update our Waste App on your Apple or Android phone, tap ‘Waste Vouchers’ on the main menu, enter your residential address and rates assessment number and your e-vouchers are good to go. When you arrive at the waste centre, just show the screen to our staff on the way in to check it's valid and on the way out they will scan it just like a paper voucher. It will then show up as used in your App. 

Yes. Previously, waste vouchers were posted along with the rates notice and needed to be physically presented when waste was dropped off at the waste management facilities. They are now electronic which means no more lost or forgotten waste vouchers and less waste. Residents simply need to present their phone (with a screenshot of the voucher or by logging into the app to access the voucher) and it is scanned in the same way the paper vouchers. Remember that just like the paper vouchers ID matching the address on the voucher (e.g. a rates notice, driver's license or utilities bill) is still required when using them.

Simply follow the directions included above to download the Cessnock Waste App to access your vouchers via your smartphone. 

If you don't have a smartphone, complete the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request Form or call (02) 4993 4100 and we will mail out your vouchers to you. 

We appreciate that not everyone has access to a mobile phone with Apple or Android app services. Vouchers can still be downloaded from our website (via the portal above on this page) and residents can print them and bring them along to the waste centre. You can also request paper vouchers to be mailed out to you be completing the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request form or by calling (02) 4993 4100.

Electronic vouchers can be transferred between people by sharing a screenshot, so it’s easy to pass them onto your tenants. ID matching the address on the voucher (e.g. rates notice, driver’s licence or utilities bill) is still required to be shown at the waste management centre for those receiving vouchers this way.

Contact your Real Estate Agent or landlord to access a print out or screenshot of the waste vouchers that are allocated for your home. ID matching the address on the voucher (e.g. rates notice, driver’s licence or utilities bill) is still required to be shown at the waste management centre when using these vouchers.

To print a copy log on to a computer at home (or at one of the Cessnock City Council library locations), take a screenshot of the voucher and save it in PDF or image format. You can then print the PDF or image file of the voucher. 

Yes, you can request paper vouchers to be mailed out to you be completing the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request Form or by calling (02) 4993 4100.

Note: If you wish to receive paper vouchers continuously, you will need to follow the above process each time vouchers are issued each January and July.

Waste vouchers are issued twice each financial year to all residential properties that receive a domestic waste service. Each set includes:

Two (2) general waste vouchers of 250kg each and Four (4) resource recovery vouchers (for recycling, organics and recoverable resources, etc.) of 250kg each.

Waste Vouchers can be used for anything going into landfill such as:

• Damaged/old furniture

• Carpet

• Timber

• Fabrics

• Clothing

• Household waste

Resource Recovery Vouchers can be used for anything that can be recycled or reprocessed such as:

Garden Organics:

• Grass clippings

• Tree branches

• Prunings

• Weeds

• Leaves

• Flowers

• Plants

• Bark

• Roots

• Palm fronds
  
  

Metal and Building materials:

• Concrete

• Bricks

• Tiles

• Wire

• Metal panels

• Ovens

• Microwaves

• Metal fans

• Metal light fittings

• Bikes

• Whitegoods

• Fridges

• Dishwashers

• Washing machines and dryers
  
  

Bulk recycling:

• Cardboard

• Paper

• Plastic bottles

• Plastic containers

• Glass bottles

• Glass jars

• Steel cans

• Aluminium cans

The vouchers will become available twice each year in mid January and July.

The vouchers expire on 31 July the year after they are issued.

For example vouchers issued in July 2024 and January 2025 (within the 2024/2025 Financial Year) will expire on 31 July 2025.

Our new e-vouchers mean no more missing or lost vouchers and makes it easier to share them between landlords/real estate agents and tenants. Issuing them twice a year also helps with property sales during the year to make sure the current owner receives their entitlements sooner.

The Waste App also provides the following tools to help you manage your household waste more effectively:

• Calendar – once you add your address the calendar will contain the individual collection days for all your bins – you can even set reminders so you never forget when to put your bins out. It will also contain special events such as mattress drop offs and workshop dates and details.
• A-Z – not sure what to do with an item, then you can check here to make sure it goes in the right bin or to the right collection centre.
• Bin info – details what can and what can’t go in each bin.
• Forms – quick access to all waste inquiry forms.
• Alerts and news – this is where we can let you know if there are any changes to waste collections or services.
• Waste Centre information – allows you to check opening hours and days before coming to the centre and also how to separate recyclables.

If you have any comments or feedback on the Waste App please e-mail council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au or call customer service on (02) 4993 4100.

Modelling undertaken in the last couple of years estimated that providing kerbside bulk waste collection across the Cessnock LGA would increase the Domestic Waste Management charge by approximately $120 per year. Community consultation on bulk waste service options, undertaken most recently in 2019, resulted in 56% of respondents preferring the voucher system to a kerbside bulk waste collection option.

If your address isn't showing, call the Council Waste Team on 4993 4167 for assistance.

Resident/voucher holder must:

• Either be the property owner or resident of the address listed on the voucher
• Nominate a Council approved business at the time of application to dispose of the waste on their behalf
• Nominate the voucher number at the time of application
• Surrender the nominated voucher to their nominated business when the waste is collected from the property
• Include in the application a description of the waste to be collected e.g. old furniture, tree prunings etc.
• Ensure that all waste is source separated e.g. recyclables, mixed waste, metals, large organics etc.

Other conditions:

• One voucher is valid for 250kg. Any difference must be paid at the time of transaction by the nominated business or charged to the business account if applicable. No invoices will be raised for non-account holders.
• No grass clippings will be accepted. These are to be disposed of via the lime lid organics bin. 
• The agreement to dispose of waste is between the business and the voucher holder. Council holds no liability for the service, insurance or cost involved in the transaction.
• Misuse or fraud of the system by either the resident or business may result in further applications being declined.

Businesses must:

1. Be registered with an ABN
2. Have a vehicle suitable to access the Transfer Station (access to the tip face will not be available when using a voucher) - Maximum size is 10m long x 3.2m wide.
3. Complete online application form 
4. Agree to follow all site conditions and directions of CWMC staff
5. Agree that, if approved, your business details will be published on Council's website and other Council publications e.g. flyers so the public can contact your business to engage your services
6. Acknowledge that Council holds no liability with any agreements or business interactions between the voucher holder and your business, including but not limited to payment or insurance.  

Onsite conditions for an Approved Business:

1. You must be an approved business to transport waste on behalf of an eligible voucher holder 
2. The approved/nominated business must follow all voucher, site conditions and directions of waste center staff
3. All waste must be source separated e.g. recyclables, mixed waste, metals, large organics in a vehicle that is suitable to access the transfer station (no access to tip face) and hand unloaded (no tipping)
4. No grass clippings will be accepted as these should be disposed of via the kerbside organics bin
5. Residents approval letter and original voucher must be presented to staff when entering the site
6. One voucher is valid for 250kg and difference must be paid at the time of transaction by business account
7. The agreement to dispose of waste is between the business and the voucher holder - Council holds no liability for the service or cost involved in the transaction.

Click here for resident waste voucher forms.