Search our comprehensive guide to find out how to dispose of specific items.
ONLY empty aerosol cans can be disposed of in your yellow lid bin.
Try selling working/repairable machines online or disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
Clean items can be disposed of in the yellow lid bin. Loose foil should be scrunched into small balls no bigger than a golf ball.
Asbestos CAN NOT be disposed of through domestic waste bin services. Fines of up to $7,500 (individual) and $15,000 (company) can be issued by the EPA for the illegal disposal of asbestos. Domestic amounts of asbestos can be disposed of at the Waste Management Centre. Disposal will need to be booked by calling 4993 4367. Conditions and fees apply. Further information regarding asbestos disposal at the Waste Management Centre can be found by clicking on this link. Asbestos Cessnock City Council (nsw.gov.au) [https://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/Residents/Property/Neighbourhood-concerns/Asbestos]
Cold ash can be disposed of in the red lid bin after leaving to cool for a few days. Do not put hot ash in your bin they can melt your bin and/or start a fire in the collection truck.
Woven baskets and plastic laundry baskets in good condition can be donated to your local charity store. Those in poor condition can be disposed of in the red lid bin.
Batteries CANNOT be disposed of in any domestic waste bin service. All batteries contain dangerous metals and chemicals. If sent to landfill these can leak and contaminate soil and groundwater. Dropping off batteries to a specialised battery collection point or the CRC ensures these metals are recovered and cannot cause environmental damage. Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries have FREE drop off stations for batteries. Participating supermarkets have convenient battery disposal centres. Batteries can also be disposed of FREE at the Community Recycling Centre.
Vehicle batteries can't be disposed of in any domestic waste bin service. Vehicle batteries are accepted FREE at the Community Recycling Centre, or at Household Chemical CleanOut events. All batteries contain dangerous metals and chemicals. If sent to landfill these can leak and contaminate soil and groundwater. Dropping off batteries to a specialised battery collection point or the CRC ensures these metals are recovered and cannot cause environmental damage
Unwanted bikes can be sold online or donated to a local charity, such as Rotary who will distribute to others in the community. They can also be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
All types of blister packs are accepted free of charge at the recycling station in Priceline Cessnock (no cardboard boxes). Full foil blister packs can be disposed of in the yellow bin. Blister packs which have a plastic component (such as throat lozenge packaging) must be disposed of in the red bin as the packaging is glued together and can't be separated.
Bones and scraps can be disposed of in the green bin.
Books in good condition can be donated to charity in the first instance. Books can be disposed of in your yellow bin. Hard cover books are too dense for processing so remove the pages from the cover and the spine.
Clear, brown and green glass bottles and jars should be rinsed before recycling to reduce odors and stickiness in your bin. Avoid breaking glass where possible.
Bottle tops and from jars and container need to be separated from the containers and can be placed in the recycling bin after rinsing to avoid odours. Note: Some containers with lids (such as long-life milk containers) have separate disposal requirements, so check different containers for instructions.
Bubble wrap is unable to be recycled. Bubble wrap and similar packing materials can be disposed of in the red bin. Hint: Bubble wrap or similar packing materials in good condition can be used by people who are moving or are storing items. Check online community groups to see if anyone needs some.
Building materials (concrete/bricks/wood/plasterboard) can't go in domestic bins. These can be taken to the Waste Management Centre (recycling/waste voucher or charges applies depending on material type). Hint: Contact your local Mens shed and see if they can use anything
Cardboard boxes can be collapsed down and disposed of in your yellow bin. Cardboard items such as cereal boxes (with the insert removed), tissue boxes, and paper roll inserts can be disposed of in the yellow bin. Bulk qunatities can be taked to CWMC (recycling voucher or charge applies). Hint: Larger cardboard boxes in good condition are always sought after by people moving or who need to store items. Check local online community groups to see if anyone wants them.
Cars have a huge number of components, many of which can be recycled or reused. If parts are in good condition, try selling them online or contact a used parts dealer/wrecker for advice. Car parts can't go in to any bin. Unusable parts can be disposed of at the Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
Carpet can't go in any bin. Carpet can be disposed of at the waste management centre (waste voucher or charge applies).
CDs and DVDs in good condition can sometimes be sought after items. Try selling them online or offering them to a charity. CD cases can be disposed of in the Yellow bin. CDs, DVDs/cases can be disposed of in the red bin.
Cellophane can't be recycled. Dispose of cellophane in the red bin.
Try selling ceramic items in good condition online, or donate to a charity. All other ceramics can be disposed of in the red bin, as ceramics can't be recycled. Examples of ceramic items include: - Crockery - Plates, cups and saucers - Tableware, serving ware
Hazardous chemicals can not be disposed of in any domestic waste bin services. The safest way to dispose of potentially hazardous household chemicals is at a Household Chemical CleanOut event. It's a FREE service for the safe disposal of a range of household chemicals that could harm to human health and the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. Keep an eye out on the Cessnock City Council Facebook or Cessnock City Council website for events. Fines of up to $7,500 (individual) and $15,000 (companies) can be issued by the EPA for the dumping of hazardous chemicals. Chemical containers can break, leaking hazardous liquids that are dangerous to residents, waste collectors, landfill staff and the environment.
Cling wrap cannot currently be recycled. Cling wrap can be disposed of in the red bin.
If clothing is still in good condition consider donating to a local charity, swapping with friends or even selling online. If clothing is not in good condition, it can be used as cleaning rags or placed in the red lid bin where it will be sent to landfill. Larger quantities can be placed out for a kerbside clean up (please place in bags or boxes). Alternatively, you can book a pick up from your home. Click here [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Recycling-Programs/RecycleSmart] for details of the types of textiles accepted.
Disposable coffee cups can't be recycled and need to go in the red bin. Some cup sleeves and lids can be recycled, so check your cup. Hint: Some cafes will allow the use of reusable coffee cups.
Coffee grounds can be disposed of in the green lid bin. Hint: Gardens love coffee grounds! If you can't use them, ask neighbours/friends if they would take them.
Coffee pods can't be recycled in your kerbside bins and can be disposed of in the red bin. Mail back to supplier is an option for some brands - check your supplier for details.
Dairy products, (yoghurt, cheese, cream etc) can be placed in the green lid bin.
Deceased animals and bulk meat can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre. Disposal of deceased animals and bulk meat waste is to occur between 9:00am - 11:30am and 1:00pm - 3:30pm. Customers are encouraged to contact staff at the CWMC on wet weather days on (02) 4993 4367 to discuss disposal feasibility.
Items where food has been scraped off can be disposed of in the yellow bin
Clean egg cartons can be disposed of in the yellow bin. Hint: Check with local egg producers to see if they can use them. You can also check with after school care or daycare groups to see if they can use them for art projects
Try selling working/repairable appliances online, or see if a charity will accept them. Electrical appliances can be taken to the Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
Electronic waste or e-waste can be taken to the Cessnock Recycling Centre for recycling free of charge.
Damaged glasses can be disposed of in the red bin. Hint: Most optometrists will accept old glasses in good condition for donation to people in need
Fire extinguishers can't be disposed of in any domestic waste bin service. You can dispose of them at the Community Recycling Centre FREE of charge They can also be dropped off at a Household Chemical CleanOut event. It's a FREE service for the safe disposal of a range of household chemicals and other items that could harm to human health and the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. Keep an eye out on the Cessnock Council Facebook page or Cessnock City Council website for events.
Fluorescent light tubes and globes can't be disposed of in any domestic waste bin services. Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries have drop off points for tubes and globes free of charge. The Community Recycling Centre accepts domestic quantities of these items free of charge
Foam and Styrofoam cannot be recycled. It can be disposed at the top of the red lid bin. Examples of foam items include: - Meat trays - Foam Cups - Packaging Hint: Placing foam / styrofoam at the top of your bin will stop it from getting stuck at the bottom.
All food waste - raw or cooked - can be dosposed of in the green lid bin. Some food waste can be composted at home for use in your garden. Australia produces 4.45 million tonnes of food waste every year. That's almost 1,000 kilograms per household which equates to about a quarter of the food we buy. When food is thrown into landfill it creates dangerous liquids and gases that are costly to manage. For more information on avoiding food waste visit here [https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.nsw.gov.au/at-home/food-smart]. For more information on composting visit here [https://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/your-environment/recycling-and-reuse/household-recycling-overview/recycling-organics-home].
Try selling working or repairable machines online Machines that aren't sellable can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
All food waste, raw and cooked, should be placed in the green lid bin. Most fruit and vegetable scraps can be composted at home – check our website [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/Composting-and-Worm-Farming] for more information.
Place in your red lid bin as they cannot be recycled through the yellow lid recycling bin. Alternatively, you can book a pick up of metal cookware from your home. Click here [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Recycling-Programs/RecycleSmart ] for more info.
Try selling these items online or see if a charity will accept them. Furniture can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (waste voucher or charge applies).
Garden waste, including lawn clippings, prunings, small sticks, twigs, flowers and leaves should be placed in the green bin. Sticks & Small Branches can't exceed max. length of 30 cm or a diameter of 30 cm. Large amounts of garden waste, branches over 30cm in diameter and stumps can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies)
Gas bottles can't be disposed of in any domestic waste bin. Gas bottles can be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre FREE of charge.
Glass mirrors, window glass, light fixtures and drinking glasses can be disposed of in the red bin. These items have different melting properties to bottles and jars. They can't be processed with recyclable glass bottles and jars as they weaken the final product. Broken glass should also be placed in the red bin.
Hazardous household cleaning products can't be placed in any domestic waste bin because they are dangerous to residents, waste collectors, landfill staff and the environment. The safest way to dispose of potentially hazardous household cleaning chemicals is at a Household Chemical CleanOut event. It's a FREE service for the safe disposal of a range of household chemicals that could harm to human health and the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. Keep an eye out on the Cessnock Council Facebook page or Cessnock City Council website for events.
Ice cream containers and lids can be disposed of in the yellow bin. Hint: Rince containers before placing them in the bin to reduce odors Hint: You can also check with after school care or daycare groups to see if they can use them for art projects
Do not place ink or toner cartridges in any domestic waste bin as they contain hazardous chemicals that are dangerous to residents, waste collectors, landfill staff and the environment You can drop off your used cartridges at all Office works, participating Australia Post, Harvey Norman, Good Guys or JB Hi-Fi stores. Please visit Planet Ark for a drop off location near you. These can also be dropped of at CWMC Community Recycling Centre FREE of charge.
Clear, brown and green glass bottles and jars should be rinsed before recycling to reduce odours and stickyness in your bin. Avoid breaking glass. Lids can be placed in the recycling bin too once removed from the jar Hint: You can also check with after school care or daycare groups to see if they can use them for art projects
After any plastic wrapping has been removed, junk mail can be placed into the yellow bin. Hint: Window envelopes and a few staples are acceptable.
Kitty litter - clean or soiled - can be disposed of in the red bin. Hint: Bag or double-bag kitty litter to reduce odours.
Garden waste, including lawn clippings, prunings, small sticks, twigs, flowers and leaves should be placed in the green bin.
Light globes cannot be placed in your yellow lid recycling bin. Fluorescent light globes and tubes can be taken to our Community Recycling Centre [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/CRC] or to our next Household Chemical CleanOut [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Whats-On/HouseholdChemicalCleanOut] event. [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/CRC] Light globes can be placed in your general waste bin as a last resort.
These can be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre free of charge. All lithium and rechargeable batteries contain dangerous metals and chemicals. If sent to landfill, these can leak and contaminate soil and groundwater. Dropping off batteries to the CRC ensures these metals are recovered and cannot cause environmental damage
Magazines, newspapers and junk mail can be placed in the yellow bin.
You can dispose of 1 mattress per recycle voucher at Cessnock Waste Management Centre don't have a vouchers you can still dispose of them at Cessnock Waste Management Centre - fees apply.
Meat scraps and bones, raw and cooked, should be placed in the green lid bin. Hint: freeze meat scraps and bones until bin collection day to reduce odours.
Check the Australasian Recycling Label (ARL) on your meat trays, the label will indicate whether the tray can be placed in the yellow or red bin. Hint: rinse trays in water before placing in the bin to reduce odours.
Medical waste must not be disposed of through any domestic waste bin service. Speak to your doctor or pharmacy about suitable disposal methods.
Empty medicine bottles can be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin. These should be rinsed out with water before they are placed in the bin. Surplus, out of date, or unused medicines should be returned to a participating hospital or pharmacy [https://www.findapharmacy.com.au/our-services/return-unwanted-medicines].
Check the label on the product for disposal information
Small mirrors can be placed in the red bin. These can't be recycled due to the chemicals used in production and they have different melting properties than recyclable glass (waste voucher or charge applies). Large mirrors (unbroken) can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre
Mobile phones should not be disposed of through any domestic waste bin service. Cessnock and Kurri Kurri Libraries have drop off stations for mobile phones FREE of charge. Participating supermarkets have convenient mobile phone disposal points. Mobile phones can also be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre FREE of charge. Over 90% of the materials used in mobiles are recyclable, avoiding future greenhouse gas emissions, saving energy and protecting our environment, and conserving scarce natural resources.
Nappies and sanitary waste should be wrapped tightly and stored in well-sealed bags and placed in the red bin. Hint: Empty the contents of soiled nappies into the toilet before placing them in the bin. Tightly roll into a bundle to enclose the contents and use the sticky tabs to close securely. Wrap, bag or double-bag nappies and saintary items to reduce smells. There are products available such as odour neutralising nappy bags and bin deodourisers that can help. Consider using washable cloth nappies to reduce waste.
Needles, syringes, lancets and other injection equipment should be disposed of correctly to minimise infection to others in the community. Sharps should never be disposed of in household waste and recycling bins or flushed down toilets or drains due to the high risk of injury to workers and community members. You can dispose of sharps waste at a number of chemists and pharmacies in the Cessnock LGA, such as: Abermain Pharmacy - 193 Cessnock Road, Abermain Branxton Pharmacy - 56 Maaitland St, Branxton Cessnock Plaza Pharmacy Cnr Cooper Street and Keene Street, Cessnock The Chemist Cessnock - 52A Vincent St, Cessnock Priceline Pharmacy - Shop 8. Cnr North Avenue and Darwin Street, Cessnock Greta Pharmacy - 104 High St, Greta Kurri Pharmacy - 169-173 Lang St Your Discount Chemist, Kurri Kurri 24-hour drop-off facilities are also available at: Cessnock Hospital - Bin is located in the carpark off Forster Street entrance Kurri Kurri Hospital - Bin is located at the rear down the last driveway of Hospital Street Your Doctor or Pharmacist will be able to assist you with information on how to dispose of community sharps
All types of paper and cardboard can be put in your yellow lid recycling bin including newspaper, junk mail, glossy magazines and books.
Cooking and motor oil can't be disposed of in any domestice waste bin service. Oils can be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre (Maximum of 20L) FREE of charge. Cessnock City Council also holds regular Household Chemical CleanOut events which accept oil up to a total of 20L. It's a FREE service for the safe disposal of a range of household chemicals that could harm to human health and the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. Keep an eye out on the Cessnock Council Facebook page or Cessnock City Council website for events.
Paint can be taken to our Community Recycling Centre [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/CRC] or to our next Household Chemical CleanOut [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Whats-On/HouseholdChemicalCleanOut ] event. Please note that limits on quantities apply.
Blank or printed office paper can be disposed of in the yellow lid bin.
Shredded office paper can't be disposed of loose in the yellow bin as it is too small for processing. Wrap in paper or place in a paper bag/cardboard box before putting it in the yellow bin. Hint: Shredded paper can be great for use in compost for the garden. Some pet shops will also take shredded paper for bedding.
Cles, dirty or soiled paper towel can be disposed of in the red bin. It can't be recycled as the fibres are too small for processing
Pens, pencils, markers, crayons etc can be disposed of in the red bin. Hint: Check to see if any day care or after school care groups would take them for use in arts and crafts.
All pet food - raw or cooked - can be disposed of in the green bin
Pet waste and animal droppings should be placed in your red lid bin. Hint: Pet waste (dog poo) can be buried in your garden, but avoid the vegie patch. If you decide to throw it away, bag or double-bag it securely to prevent smells and flies.
Old phone books can be recycled by being placed into your yellow lid recycling bin.
Boxes with no solid food waste can be disposed of in the yellow bin.
If the plant pot is clean and has a plastic identification code, it can be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin. If not, the best option for these pots is to return them to a participating garden centre for reuse. Alternatively, you can book a pick up from your home. Click here [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Recycling-Programs/RecycleSmart ] for more info.
Red Bin, please do not place these in your yellow or green bin
All empty and clean household rigid plastic containers and bottles can be placed in your yellow lid recycling bin. All food scraps and liquids should be removed before putting items into your recycling bin.
Plastic Film/cling wrap can't be recycled. Dispose of cellophane in the red bin
Polystyrene/ Styrofoam cannot be recycled. It can be disposed at the top of the red lid bin to avoid it getting stuck. Examples of foam items include: - Meat trays - Foam Cups - Packaging
Place saucepans in the red lid bin as they cannot be recycled through the yellow lid recycling bin. Alternatively, you can book a pick up of metal cookware from your home. Click here [https://www.campbelltown.nsw.gov.au/Services-and-Facilities/Waste-and-Recycling/Other-Recycling-Programs/RecycleSmart ] for more info.
Scrap metal should not be disposed of in any residential waste bin service. Scrap metal can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre for recycling (recycling voucher or charge applies).
Seafood, including fish and shellfish, raw and cooked, should be placed in the green lid bin. Hint: freeze seafood waste until bin collection day to reduce odours.
Soiled, dirty or clean serviettes should be placed in the red lid bin, or in a home compost system. They should not be placed in the yellow lid bin as they cannot be processed.
Smoke detectors can't be disposed of in any residential waste bin service. Smoke detectors contain elements that are dangerous to people and to the environment if they are disposed of in landfill. Smoke detectors can be disposed of at the Community Recycling Centre FREE of charge. They can also be dropped off at a Household Chemical CleanOut event. It's a FREE service for the safe disposal of a range of household items andchemicals that could harm to human health and the environment if they are not disposed of correctly. Keep an eye out on the Cessnock Council Facebook page or Cessnock City Council website for events.
Soil/sand can't be disposed of in any residential waste bin service. Soil/sand can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (waste voucher or charge applies).
Clean, rigid plastic take away containers can be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin. Hint: it is important to wash the containers so they can be recycled. This will also reduce odours. Note: foam take away containers cannot be recycled and must be placed into your red lid bin. Remember: any leftover take away food should be placed in the red lid bin.
Tea bags can't be disposed of in your green waste. These can be disposed of in the red bin. Tea bags contain plastic that doesn't break down in the organics recycling process.
Tissues can't be disposed of in the yellow bin. All tissues should be disposed of in the red bin. Tissue fibers are too small for them to be able to be recycled. Tissues boxes can be recycled.
If toys are in good condition, consider donating to a local charity, swapping with friends or selling online. If toys are not in good condition, they can be placed in the red bin. Larger amounts can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (waste voucher or charge applies).
Tyres can't be disposed of in any residential waste bin service. Tyres should be taken by the tyre shop where you get your tyres changed, or they can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre - fees apply (excluded from voucher).
The dusty contents of your vacuum cleaner should be placed in the red lid, or it can be composted in a home compost system.
Vegetable scraps can be disposed of in the green bin
Video tapes can not be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin. They should be placed in the red lid bin, or placed out for a kerbside clean up (in boxes or bags).
Garden waste, including lawn clippings, prunings, small sticks, twigs, flowers, all weeds and leaves should be placed in the green bin. Sticks & Small Branches can't exceed max. length of 30 cm or a diameter of 30 cm. Large amounts of garden waste, branches over 30cm in diameter and stumps can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
Whitegoods can contain significant amounts of meatal, insulation materials and other substances. Please dispose of them at Cessnock Waste Management Centre (recycling voucher or charge applies).
Small amounts of window glass can be placed in the red lid bin. Larger amounts that won’t fit in the bin can be taken to a waste disposal facility.
Cardboard boxes should be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin. The inner foil bag, however, cannot be recycled and should be placed in the red lid bin.
Treated wood can be disposed of at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre (waste voucher or charge applies)
Wrapping paper (no plastic or foil) can be placed in the yellow lid recycling bin.
X-ray films cant be recycled in your yellow bin as the chemicals used in the developing process contaminate the recycling process. X-rays can be disposed of in the red bin.