Free waste vouchers in the mail

The first free waste vouchers are expected to arrive in the mailboxes of residents across the Tamworth Region this week as part of a trial new service.

Tamworth Region Councillors decided in May to go ahead with a Waste Voucher Trial in 2018/19 as part of ongoing efforts to increase resource recovery and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Tamworth Regional Council Operations Manager Water and Waste, Dan Coe, said any resident currently serviced by at least 2 waste bins – one with a yellow lid and one with a red lid - will receive two vouchers for use between now and June next year.

“Property owners will receive their vouchers with their rates notice which will arrive in the mail over the coming days while renters will be advised by their property manager how to access their vouchers,” he said.

“Council has been working with local real estate agents, Housing NSW and other property managers to encourage their help with the trial and to contact their tenants to let them know how they can access their vouchers.”

The waste voucher trial will run from this month until August 2019 in parallel with the existing two annual free Bulky Household Waste Collections. The results of the trial will be presented to Councillors towards the end of August 2019 to allow them to consider the future of the voucher system.

Mr Coe said the current bulky good collection system sees all waste left out on the street for collection (with the exception of electronic devices and metals) sent straight to landfill.  The voucher system sees all waste delivered to one of Council’s waste centers checked and any recyclables removed.  In addition the voucher system has the advantage of allowing residents to choose when they want to freely dispose of their waste at the landfill – rather than wait for the June or November collection service Council has in place.

“While we realise not all residents may have a trailer or ute to be able to take their waste to the landfill, the thought is neighbours, families and friends may work together,” he said. “One could supply the trailer and one could supply a voucher.

“Through the trial we will see how this may work at a practical level and it will for part of Councillors considerations when deciding the future of the voucher system”.

For more information about the trial, see Council’s website or call our customer service team on 6767 5555.