Cessnock Council calls for community feedback on waste management and recycling

The survey is part of the development of its 2020-2025 Waste Management Strategy, with council calling for community feedback on how to manage waste and recycling into the future.

Throughout the month of May, council officers have been on the ground and online conducting the survey to hear the community's voice on how they want their waste managed.

Some of the questions ask residents to rate their preference on fortnightly household rubbish collection and council's current waste voucher program for bulky waste.

But council's waste projects officer Michelle Lindsay said the survey is a genuine attempt to better understand the needs of the community whilst also providing transparent costings associated with proposed options.

"The information we gain from this survey will be invaluable. We've ensured the survey has open response style questions that allows for residents to raise any concerns or ideas they might have," she said.

"We have also held community drop in sessions giving everyone the chance to chat about all things waste."

On the top of the strategy, council will be exploring ways to minimise the bill for the community.

Council must pay the NSW Government's waste levy for every tonne of landfill that is received at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre.

The levy is currently (2018/19) $141.20 per tonne.

Council's environment and waste manager Michael Alexander said as a result of the waste levy, waste management comes at a significant cost to the community.

"The reality is, waste management is a big industry and big costs are involved," he said. "Last year, we were charged $8 million for the NSW Government's waste levy," he said.

"This is just one of many reasons why council is continually trying to implement equitable waste management options that foster waste minimisation and resource recovery."

Complete the survey by visiting cessnock.nsw.gov.au/environment/waste/wastesurvey.