Council promotes recycling and correct waste disposal through a range of free events and specialist services. We offer additional waste services as well as participating and promoting National and International waste events.

Waste As Art

Each year the skills and creativity of the Hunter community are displayed in the regional Waste as Art community art competition and exhibition.

The competition provides an incentive for people to think about waste and look at its potential as a resource.

This year the exhibition will be displayed at the new Newcastle Museum.

For pictures of past and present winners, entry dates and forms, visit the Hunter Waste Education Group. 

Mattress Muster Saturday 30 June 2012

Council's will hold it's first Mattress Muster on Saturday 30 June 2012 at the Tighes Hill TAFE student car park, opposite Henry St. The site will be open from 8am until 12 noon.
Residents must show ID and can bring along 4 pieces per rate notice. A mattress will be classified as one piece, and a base as a second piece.

E-waste Collection Day Saturday 21 July 2012

Another free drop off event will be held on Saturday 21 July 2012 at the Tighes Hill TAFE student car park, opposite Henry St. The site will be open from 8am until 12 noon.
Residents can drop off household quantities of electron equipment, including:

• Computers
• Monitors
• Keyboards
• Telephones/Mobiles
• Televisions
• Stereos
• DVD, CD and VCR players.

Trailers will not be allowed due to site restrictions.

Waste Wise Events

Waste Wise Events Parties, celebrations and special events can generate large amounts of waste. A Waste Wise event, however, will provide a cleaner environment, be more pleasant for people participating, give a better image to present to sponsors and leave less mess to clean up afterwards.

Tips for a Waste Wise Party:
Consider asking friends and family to bring along their own plates and cutlery. This will save you money on disposable plates and also reduce the amount of waste you create.

• Buy in bulk to limit food packaging
• Purchase products that have recyclable packaging
• Take your recyclables (like glass and plastic bottles) home with you if your party venue doesn't offer recycling
• Consider menu planning, taking into account the RSVP numbers and average serving sizes to save you money and wasted food
• If your event is catered for professionally, contact the local OzHarvest Food Rescue who will pick up delivery your left overs to Hunter charities for free!
• Contact Council to organise extra recycling bins for your event
• For small celebrations and parties, visit Planet Ark for more waste wise hints and tips.
• For help with catering portion sizes, visit Love Food Hate Waste and use their free serving calculator
• The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water also provides information on hosting larger functions and Waste Wise Events
• Australasian Special Events also provides a free event carbon calculator and event policy guideline.

Extra Recycling

If you fill up your recycling bin after a party, consider dropping your remaining recyclables into one of our Public Place Recycling Bins.

Council offers Public Place Recycling stations at six locations across Newcastle:

• Nobbys Beach (near the cafeteria)
• Wheeler Place
• Newcastle Hunter Street Mall (Crown Street end)
• James Street, Hamilton
• Newcastle Beach viewing platform and
• Lambton Pool (entrance fee to the pool is required).

These recycling stations accept the same items as your residential recycling system. Always remember that Council will charge for any clean up needed after an event held in a Council facility or park.