Waste & recycling centres
Kempsey Shire Council operates four waste and recycling centres, where you can use your free waste vouchers to dispose of unwanted items.
The Kempsey Waste Management Centre on Crescent Head Road takes household, commercial, industrial, building and demolition waste.
The three waste transfer stations at South West Rocks, Stuarts Point and Bellbrook take household waste (including materials which can be recycled) only.
You can view the locations and opening hours of your nearest centre below.
For fees, read Council’s Schedule of Fees and Charges(PDF, 4MB)
Where are the waste and recycling centres and when are they open?
See the waste & recycling centre opening hours and locations page by clicking this link.
Recycling
Council offers many free services to our community for recycling and safe disposal of household problem waste, saving valuable landfill space. Many materials can be reused and recycled if processed correctly.
Pre-sorting your rubbish before arriving at any waste facility can significantly reduce your disposal charges, since many recyclables and problem wastes are taken free of charge.
Recycle for free at the Kempsey Waste Management Centre and the three transfer stations throughout the Shire
* cannot be dropped off at Bellbrook Waste Transfer Centre
- lead acid batteries and dry cell single use or rechargeable batteries *
- e-waste, including TVs, DVDs, VCRs, CDs, hi-fis, game consoles and accessories, MP3 players, laptops, PCs and peripherals, tablets, digital cameras, video cameras, computer monitors, printers and scanners
- gas bottles and fire extinguishers (under 25L capacity) *
- household paint *
- metal, including items with high metal content like whitegoods, electrical cords, car parts and wire
- mobile phones, including chargers and headsets *
- oil (keep motor, hydraulic and transmission oils separate from cooking oils) *
- paper and cardboard
- printer cartridges *
- radioactive smoke alarms *
- recyclable containers like cans, bottles, jars and cartons
- fluorescent lighting such as mercury-containing globes or tubes *
Free services at the Kempsey Waste Management Centre only
- drumMUSTER recycling
- household chemical safe disposal
- needles and syringes disposal
How do I get free waste vouchers?
To help you dispose of household waste, Council has a free waste voucher program for all properties with a domestic waste service.
Two vouchers are sent out with your annual rates notice and are valid for a year.
Terms and conditions
• Single use vouchers must be presented at the time of disposal
• Vouchers redeemable per ‘standard domestic load’ - maximum 2 vouchers
• Vouchers are valid for domestic residential waste disposal only
• Any loads in excess the value of $40.00 shall be charged at the applicable fees
Where to use your free vouchers
Waste vouchers can be used at the Kempsey Waste Management Centre or the waste transfer stations at South West Rocks, Stuarts Point and Bellbrook.
Learn about Return and Earn
Return and Earn is a container deposit scheme designed to reduce litter across New South Wales. You can earn 10 cents for every eligible container you take to an approved collection point.
Return and Earn is an initiative of the NSW Environment Protection Authority.
How does Return and Earn work?
- Collect your eligible bottles and cans.
- Take your containers to a return point.
- Earn a refund of 10 cents for each container.
Which containers are eligible?
You can get a refund for most containers between 150 millilitres and 3 litres. Eligible containers include:
- cans
- bottles
- cartons
- juice boxes or poppers
Containers should be empty, have the label attached and be intact (not crushed).
You can’t get a refund for containers not included in the scheme, such as:
- milk containers
- juice containers over 1 litre
- glass wine bottles
- glass spirit bottles
- cordial bottles
These should be put in your yellow bin for recycling.
Where are the return points near me?
In Kempsey Shire, there are return vending machines at:
- 47 South St, South Kempsey
- 10 Stuart Street, Kempsey
- Kempsey Golf Club, 330 Macleay Valley Way, Kempsey
- Corner of Gregory Street and Spencers Creek Road, South West Rocks.
You can search for return points at www.returnandearn.org.au . Enter your town or suburb into the search box to find collection points near you.
Can I still use my yellow bin?
You can still put containers in your yellow bin for recycling. You will not be eligible for a refund for any containers you put in your yellow bin.
Where can I find more information?
Visit the Return and Earn website.