Over the course of 12 months, the centre has provided the community with the opportunity to lessen its impact on the environment by increasing opportunities for resource recovery.

The addition of the Community Recycling Centre (CRC) has meant that an impressive 71 tonnes of toxic problem waste including paints, oils and gas bottles have been diverted from landfill.

The CRC is also responsible for seeing 69 tonnes of electronic waste sen for reprocessing which has reduced contamination rates.

The opening of the centre has also seen a 12 per cent increase, to 36 per cent in the rate of resource recovery over the last 12 months

There has also been a 47 per cent increase in recoverable materials being separated at the centre to be sent for recycling which has resulted in close to $200,000 in rebates from the waste levy paid to the state government.

As testament to the centre’s effectiveness, it was, last week honoured with two awards – the first being a highly commended nod at the Institute of Public Works Engineers Association’s Excellence Awards in the resource recovery category.

The second saw the centre win the Waste Less Recycle More Waste Minimisation Award in the iconic Keep Australia Beautiful NSW 2018 Sustainable Communities Awards.

“I am proud of what the centre has achieved and look forward to seeing even better results in the next 12 months,” Mayor Bob Pynsent said.

“We are dedicated to taking steps to future proof our services to ensure generations to come benefit and this facility will ensure our community has critical infrastructure to divert material from landfill.”

For more information about the Cessnock Waste Management Centre, visit www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/wastecentre