Tamworth Regional Council manages and operates one of the most advanced Waste Management Facilities in Regional Australia. It comprises a Weighbridge, Recycling Plant, a Small Vehicle Transfer Station for the convenient and safe disposal of waste by residents and a Buy Back Centre. Waste items such as re-usable goods, green waste, bricks, concrete, timber and metal wastes are recycled and reprocessed for the benefit of the environment. Tamworth Regional Council is actively involved in waste education and also provides executive services to the thirteen member councils of the Northern Inland Regional Waste (NIRW) Group.
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A new waste collection contract with Transpacific Cleanaway came into force on 31 August 2009. As a result, a larger area of the region now has roadside garbage and recycling collection services. Bulky household goods collection services have also been extended. Report missed collections to Transpacific Cleanaway on the Waste Hotline 1300 530 535.
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The Tamworth Waste Management Facility is located on Forest Road near the city of Tamworth. In recent years the facility has become a regional waste management hub, which has resulted in the total amount of waste being received at the facility increasing to about 76,000 tonnes annually. Approximately 50% of this waste material is diverted away from landfill through resource recovery for reuse, recycling and reprocessing. The Tamworth facility is also unique in the region's waste management portfolio as it operates a modern new Small Vehicle Waste Transfer Station. The station was completed in 2008 and allows members of the community to dispose of their rubbish in a much safer and more pleasant environment, away from mud, dust, waste at their feet and the risks presented by large landfill vehicles.
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The aptly named Yacannabuybetta Buy Back Centre receives an average of 300 visitors per week who either deliver goods or go shopping. Yacannabuybetta operates like any other shop or store with stock or items for sale except for one small difference - all the goods for sale have been discarded as waste! Often these items undertake a transformation and become a valuable new usable product.
Temporarily closed until further notice due to onsite works occurring at Forest Road Landfill.
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There are a range of waste materials that have properties that make them hazardous or potentially harmful to human health or the environment. Some liquid wastes can also be hazardous. Council runs a number of regional programs and participates in national initiatives that are designed to help residents and farmers dispose of some of these hazardous wastes. More information is also available from the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water website.
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Tamworth Regional Council operates twelve waste management facilities across the region, which are designed for the disposal of general solid waste material, commonly known as garbage. The facilities vary significantly in size and the way that they operate. The operational capacity of each facility is designed to meet the needs of the local community. Some of these facilities operate as landfills where waste is buried on site. Others operate as small vehicle waste transfer stations, where waste material is placed in large bins and the collected waste is transported to the Tamworth Waste Management Facility for disposal. Check Locations and Operating Hours for more information about the individual sites and the waste materials they accept.
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There are two ways that residents and visitors to the Tamworth region can recycle everyday household containers and packaging. The first is the kerbside collection service provided by Council. Every property in the Tamworth region that has a kerbside garbage collection service also has access to kerbside recycling collection. The second recycling opportunity is for those people who do not have access to a kerbside recycling service or for items that will not fit in the recycling wheelie bin. The majority of Council's twelve waste management facilities have skip bins for the deposit of recyclable items. Recycling household containers and packaging is a great way to start, but there are also opportunities to extend recycling to other items around the home or business such as mobile phones and printer, fax and photocopier ink and toner cartridges.
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Tamworth Regional Council has a Waste Education Officer to help form partnerships with community groups, businesses and schools to improve waste management practices. The Waste Education Officer can provide waste management advice, assist with campaign promotion and provide educational materials.
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Illegal dumping is estimated to cost NSW councils about $10 million a year in removal and clean up of illegal dump sites. The costs to the community can be far greater in environmental and social terms. Illegal dumping contributes to the degradation of land and runoff can contaminate soil and water sources. Dump sites can present a health risk and reduce the recreational use of public land.
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Northern Inland Regional Waste represents a collaboration of thirteen councils across the New England and North West region of NSW. The region's councils work together through NIRW to deliver cost effective and sustainable waste management options to the entire regional community. Tamworth Regional Council hosts the positions of the NIRW Executive Office and Program Coordinator.
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Tamworth Regional Council will be participating in the 2013 Waste > Art & Design Competition and running it’s local competition to fall in line with the NIRW Regional Competition.
This competition is open to all residents in the Tamworth Regional Council area and it celebrates the reuse and recycling of waste in our community through art, sculpture and graphic design.
Full terms and conditions are listed in the entry form and details are available on-line.
For more information, please contact Council’s Waste Education Officer, Angela Dodson (02) 6767 5549.
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