Waste Vouchers
Waste and resource recovery vouchers are available to property owners with a domestic waste service electronically through our Waste App and here on our website.
Waste vouchers are issued twice per year, with each allocation to provide:
- Two (2) general waste vouchers of 250kg each and,
- Four (4) resource recovery vouchers (for recycling, organics and recoverable resources, etc.) of 250kg each.
The vouchers expire at the end of the financial year and each voucher displays it's expiry date. (For example vouchers released on 1 August 2024 and January 2025 will expire on 30 June 2025.)
Accessing your digital waste vouchers
The easiest way to get your waste vouchers is through our Waste App.
They are no longer sent out with rates notices, which means no more lost or forgotten waste vouchers – and less waste!
How to get your waste vouchers:
- Download the free Cessnock Waste App from the Apple App store or Google play.
- Go to the Waste Vouchers section on the menu
- Add your name, contact number, address, assessment number, and tick the box to accept the terms and conditions of use.
- Your waste vouchers will then appear.
- When you get to the waste management centre, show the operator your voucher on the way in to check it's valid and on the way out click on redeem and our friendly staff will scan the voucher.
Note: Each voucher contains a unique and individual barcode that can only be redeemed once (even if multiple copies and screenshots are made).
Don't have a smartphone? Get your waste vouchers here
To get a PDF or Print copy of your vouchers, fill in your details below. You can then click on the "Print" button in the top right hand corner and the vouchers will automatically go to an A4 page for printing.
You can also request paper vouchers be mailed out to you be completing the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request Form or by calling (02) 4993 4100.
Note: If you wish to receive paper vouchers continuously, you will need to follow the above process each time vouchers are issued each January and July.
Waste Voucher FAQ's
Good news! You're already signed up! All you need to do is download or update our Waste App on your Apple or Android phone, tap ‘Waste Vouchers’ on the main menu, enter your residential address and rates assessment number and your e-vouchers are good to go. When you arrive at the waste management centre, just show the screen to our staff on the way in to check it's valid and on the way out they will scan it just like a paper voucher. It will then show up as used in your App.
Yes. Previously, waste vouchers were posted along with the rates notice and needed to be physically presented when waste was dropped off at the waste management centre. They are now electronic which means no more lost or forgotten waste vouchers and less waste. Residents simply need to present their phone (with a screenshot of the voucher or by logging into the app to access the voucher) and it is scanned in the same way the paper vouchers. Remember that just like the paper vouchers ID matching the address on the voucher (e.g. a rates notice, driver's license or utilities bill) is still required when using them.
Simply follow the directions included above to download the Cessnock Waste App to access your vouchers via your smartphone.
If you don't have a smartphone, complete the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request Form or call (02) 4993 4100 and we will mail out your vouchers to you.
We appreciate that not everyone has access to a mobile phone with Apple or Android app services. Vouchers can still be downloaded from our website (via the portal above on this page) and residents can print them and bring them along to the waste centre. You can also request paper vouchers to be mailed out to you be completing the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request form or by calling (02) 4993 4100.
Electronic vouchers can be transferred between people by sharing a screenshot, so it’s easy to pass them onto your tenants. ID matching the address on the voucher (e.g. rates notice, driver’s licence or utilities bill) is still required to be shown at the waste management centre for those receiving vouchers this way.
Contact your Real Estate Agent or landlord to access a print out or screenshot of the waste vouchers that are allocated for your home. ID matching the address on the voucher (e.g. rates notice, driver’s licence or utilities bill) is still required to be shown at the waste management centre when using these vouchers.
To print a copy log on to a computer at home (or at one of the Cessnock City Council library locations), take a screenshot of the voucher and save it in PDF or image format. You can then print the PDF or image file of the voucher.
Yes, you can request paper vouchers to be mailed out to you be completing the Paper Waste and Resource Recovery Voucher Request Form or by calling (02) 4993 4100.
Note: If you wish to receive paper vouchers continuously, you will need to follow the above process each time vouchers are issued each January and July.
Waste vouchers are issued twice each financial year to all residential properties that receive a domestic waste service. Each set includes:
Two (2) general waste vouchers of 250kg each and Four (4) resource recovery vouchers (for recycling, organics and recoverable resources, etc.) of 250kg each.
Waste Vouchers can be used for anything going into landfill such as:
Resource Recovery Vouchers can be used for anything that can be recycled or reprocessed such as:
Garden Organics:
Metal and Building materials:
- Washing machines and dryers
Bulk recycling:
The vouchers will become available twice each year in mid January and July.
The vouchers expire at the end of the financial year.
For example vouchers issued in July 2024 and January 2025 (within the 2024/2025 Financial Year) will expire on 30 June 2025.
Our new e-vouchers mean no more missing or lost vouchers and makes it easier to share them between landlords/real estate agents and tenants. Issuing them twice a year also helps with property sales during the year to make sure the current owner receives their entitlements sooner.
The Waste App also provides the following tools to help you manage your household waste more effectively:
- Calendar – once you add your address the calendar will contain the individual collection days for all your bins – you can even set reminders so you never forget when to put your bins out. It will also contain special events such as mattress drop offs and workshop dates and details.
- A-Z – not sure what to do with an item, then you can check here to make sure it goes in the right bin or to the right collection centre.
- Bin info – details what can and what can’t go in each bin.
- Forms – quick access to all waste inquiry forms.
- Alerts and news – this is where we can let you know if there are any changes to waste collections or services.
- Waste Centre information – allows you to check opening hours and days before coming to the centre and also how to separate recyclables.
If you have any comments or feedback on the Waste App please e-mail council@cessnock.nsw.gov.au or call customer service on (02) 4993 4100.
Modelling undertaken in the last couple of years estimated that providing kerbside bulk waste collection across the Cessnock LGA would increase the Domestic Waste Management charge by approximately $120 per year. Community consultation on bulk waste service options, undertaken most recently in 2019, resulted in 56% of respondents preferring the voucher system to a kerbside bulk waste collection option.
If your address isn't showing, call the Council Waste Team on 4993 4167 for assistance.
Terms and Conditions of Use
- Vouchers are only valid for use at the Cessnock Waste Management Centre
- Vouchers can only be used for domestic household waste
- Each voucher can be used to dispose of up to 250kg of household waste or recoverable material
- Loads over 250kg require additional vouchers or will be charged in accordance with Council's Fees and Charges
- Vouchers cannot be used for disposing of mattresses, tyres or special waste such as asbestos
- Vouchers are valid to the date shown
- Vouchers must be presented at the time of disposal along with proof of address
- Renters are encouraged to request vouchers from their landlord/property manager.
Please note: Resale of vouchers may result in the voucher being rendered void. The voucher system is designed to assist residents manage their domestic waste disposal responsibly. Abuse of this service, such as on-selling, may result in the system being withdrawn.
Waste voucher use - engaging a commercial contractor
Council has developed a process for all residents to pay an Approved Business to dispose of their bulk waste at Cessnock Waste Management Centre with the use of their annual waste vouchers.
The disposal fee is covered for up to 250kg of approved waste per voucher. The agreement/cost for removal and transport of waste is between the business and the voucher holder, Council hold no liability for the service, insurance or cost involved in the transaction.
Resident/voucher holder must:
- Either be the property owner or resident of the address listed on the voucher
- Nominate a Council approved business at the time of application to dispose of the waste on their behalf
- Nominate the voucher number at the time of application
- Surrender the nominated voucher to their nominated business when the waste is collected from the property
- Include in the application a description of the waste to be collected e.g. old furniture, tree prunings etc.
- Ensure that all waste is source separated e.g. recyclables, mixed waste, metals, large organics etc.
Other conditions:
- One voucher is valid for 250kg. Any difference must be paid at the time of transaction by the nominated business or charged to the business account if applicable. No invoices will be raised for non-account holders.
- No grass clippings will be accepted. These are to be disposed of via the lime lid organics bin.
- The agreement to dispose of waste is between the business and the voucher holder. Council holds no liability for the service, insurance or cost involved in the transaction.
- Misuse or fraud of the system by either the resident or business may result in further applications being declined.
Businesses must:
- Be registered with an ABN
- Have a vehicle suitable to access the Transfer Station (access to the tip face will not be available when using a voucher) - Maximum size is 10m long x 3.2m wide.
- Complete online application form
- Agree to follow all site conditions and directions of CWMC staff
- Agree that, if approved, your business details will be published on Council's website and other Council publications e.g. flyers so the public can contact your business to engage your services
- Acknowledge that Council holds no liability with any agreements or business interactions between the voucher holder and your business, including but not limited to payment or insurance.
Onsite conditions for an Approved Business:
- You must be an approved business to transport waste on behalf of an eligible voucher holder
- The approved/nominated business must follow all voucher, site conditions and directions of waste center staff
- All waste must be source separated e.g. recyclables, mixed waste, metals, large organics in a vehicle that is suitable to access the transfer station (no access to tip face) and hand unloaded (no tipping)
- No grass clippings will be accepted as these should be disposed of via the kerbside organics bin
- Residents approval letter and original voucher must be presented to staff when entering the site
- One voucher is valid for 250kg and difference must be paid at the time of transaction by business account
- The agreement to dispose of waste is between the business and the voucher holder - Council holds no liability for the service or cost involved in the transaction.
Applications
- Residents can apply for this provision here
- Commercial operators can apply to become an Approved Business here
If you have any questions about the use of annual waste vouchers, or if you are unable to submit an online form, please contact Council's Customer Relations team on 02 4993 4100.