Waste Education

Council employs a Resource and Waste Sustainability Officer who is available to speak with residents, students and teachers within the Tamworth Regional Council area. 

They can provide information about waste management generally and resource recover opportunities in our region. They can also arrange tours of the landfill sites as well as provide some available resources that might assist with improving recycling.

There is no fee for the Resource Waste and Sustainability Officer’s visit or advice. If you’re interested in arranging a visit or a tour of Tamworth’s waste management facility for your school, business or community group, please submit your request via email to trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au with a few date and time options.

Students who have assignments, the Resource and Waste Sustainability Officer can assist is providing information for school assignments on for example waste, recycling, circular economy, composting and worm farming.  This information will not necessarily come in written form and generally will take place in the form of a conversation with a student. 

Please email:- trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au with your request, question, school and teachers name and please ensure that you include your teacher on the email as well. Don’t forget to give yourself plenty of time to get in touch and source the information you require. 

We also have a Glossary of Terms (PDF 105KB) for definitions on things waste and sustainability related.

Tamworth Regional Council will work to support registered residents who wish to participate in the National Clean up Australia Day event(s) at the beginning of March each year.

Alternatively, either yourself or your community, sporting or walking group may wish to undertake regular clean ups throughout the year, and this can be facilitated with prior arrangements, but still must be registered through Clean up Australia Day each year when registrations open in January each year.  If you are registering for an ongoing activity through out the year, please also email council through trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au when you have completed your registration so arrangements can be made.

Follow the Clean up Australia Day link to find out more information and register your clean up events on the next national clean up dates and to register your activity.

The Don't be a Tosser! campaign, led by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), is a state-wide initiative aimed at reducing litter and encouraging responsible waste disposal across New South Wales. Littering poses significant environmental, social, and economic challenges, impacting waterways, harming wildlife, and diminishing the natural beauty of public spaces. This campaign directly confronts littering behaviour through bold messaging, public engagement, and education to shift attitudes and promote accountability.

A key element of the campaign’s success lies in empowering residents to take an active role by reporting littering when they see it occur. Community reporting not only helps authorities identify and address problem areas, but also acts as a deterrent by increasing the perceived risk of enforcement. By holding individuals accountable, reporting supports a cleaner, safer environment and reinforces a shared sense of responsibility. Through collective action and civic participation, the Don't be a Tosser! campaign drives positive behavioural change and helps build a more sustainable and respectful community for all.

Report a tosser online

Report littering from vehicles (a Tosser) is a simple process and can be completed online here. These reports go to the NSW EPA and not Council.

Reporting sends a strong message to litterers:

• that their behaviour will not be tolerated
• makes litterers aware that anyone from the community can be a reporter
• increases the perception that tossers can be seen and fined for littering from a vehicle

Fines ranging from $500 for an individual and $1,000 for a corporation can be issued from your report.

Ever wondered where litter goes when dropped on the ground?

Rubbish and litter can travel thousands of kilometres, moving through local water ways and eventually in to the ocean.

Do you know how long some items will take to break down?

Some items will begin to breakdown after a few years and some will outlive you and several generations to come. Enter your birth year to find out which items will outlive you if they were littered the year you were born.

What can you do to reduce litter in your life?

Check out these suggestions and make a pledge to put it in the bin and protect the environment.

What else is happening in an attempt to reduce litter volumes in the state in terms of actions, research and studies, resources and grants?

Find out here by clicking the "What else is happening" heading.