Depots charge a fee for disposing of waste at their facilities. Depending on the depot you go to, the way prices are charged may differ.
Weighbridge depots (West Nowra, Huskisson and Ulladulla) weigh your vehicle before and after leaving the depot to measure how much waste you dropped off. These depots accept larger waste loads (trucks and trailers over 8’ x 5’) than non-weighbridge depots, and can accept commercial quantities of recycling and waste.
Our seven (7) non-weighbridge depots are smaller transfer stations and charge by the size of the load. These depots are not suitable for larger waste loads or commercial operators.
Please note: No cash payments are accepted at any of our recycling and waste depots.
The items listed below can usually be disposed of free of charge. Drop-off areas for these types of items are often located prior to the weighbridge entrance or just after the gate entrance.
Household recycling items
Any item that can be recycled via the yellow lid kerbside bin can be recycled for FREE at our depots
- paper and cardboard
- aluminium and steel cans
- plastic bottles and containers
- glass bottles and jars
Household problem waste (paint, batteries, etc.)
Household problem waste are items that can't go in your kerbside bins because they contain materials that are hazardous to the environment. Some items are a potential fire hazard in collection vehicles and facilities.
This includes:
- car batteries
- household batteries
- fluorescent light bulbs
- smoke detectors
- gas bottles
- motor oils
- cooking oils
- oil-based and water-based paints
- fire extinguishers
- aerosol cans
You can dispose of domestic quantities of these items for free at a Community Recycling Centre, also known as a 'CRC', located at our recycling and waste depots.
To learn more, go to our page on Community Recycling Centres.
Scrap metal and metal items
From small items such as nuts and bolts to large items such as such as tinnies, garage doors and whitegoods, all metal items and scrap metal can be recycled for FREE.
For whitegoods such as fridges, freezers and air conditioners, a refrigerant de-gassing/removal fee of $17 will apply. Your household waste vouchers can be used to pay for this fee.
Electronic waste (e-waste)
Any unwanted electrical item that runs on a power cord or battery is considered 'e-waste'.
This includes but is not limited to:
- computers and monitors
- keyboards and other peripherals
- scanners and printers
- kitchen and household appliances
- power tools
- home entertainment equipment
- mobile and house phones
Please note: This is a free service to domestic customers only. Business and commercial e-waste is charged at the commercial recyclables rate. E-waste that is not fully intact and or physically damaged will not be accepted for recycling and will be charged at the mixed waste rate.
Polystyrene (foam packaging)
Only some polystyrene is eligible to recycle. The only polystyrene we can accept for recycling is clean (i.e. non contaminated) polystyrene boxes, rigid sheets and packaging — this is most commonly found in electronic goods packaging.
Never put polystyrene packaging in your kerbside bins, as it will become contaminated by the other items during transport and will no longer be recyclable.
We can't accept small broken pieces or pellets (e.g. bean bag beans) or translucent (see-through) sheets that can be folded or scrunched. Please place these items in your red lid kerbside bin, and make sure to put bean bag pellets in a bag so they don't blow away and end up in the environment.
If you're unsure if the packaging you're dealing with is polystyrene, check our A-Z recycling guide entry on polystyrene for more information on identifying different types of packaging.
Textiles and clothing
When reuse or donation is not an option for your old textiles, recycle them for free at any of our depots.
Textiles we accept include:
- clothing
- bed linen
- table linen
- blankets
- cushion covers
- towels
- handbags
- small bags
- shoes
- curtains
Textiles we can't accept include:
- items that contain stuffing, such as pillows, doonas, sleeping bags and puffer jackets
- textiles stained with paint or oil
- textiles made of plastic, such as plastic shower curtains
- oversized items - items must be able to easily fit through the chute of the clothing bin
For more information on items we accept and some that we can’t, please check our page on items we can and can't accept.
Fireweed
Fireweed is an introduced weed that competes strongly with pasture species and is toxic to livestock. Fireweed is responsible for illness, slow growth and poor conditioning of cattle, and can result in death.
Fireweed seeds are light and have a pappus (a structure made of feather-like hairs) that enables them to be carried by the wind, similar to dandelions. The seeds also have rows of short hairs that can loosely cling to animals. For this reason, fireweed must be bagged and tied to prevent seeds from spreading.
Bagged and tied fireweed is accepted free of charge at all our depots. To be classified as a no-charge load, the whole load must consist only of fireweed.
Silage (grass bale) wrapping
Silage wrap and polypropylene twine can only be accepted at no-charge when packed in a Plastic Forest UV-stable plastic bag.
Learn more about how to dispose of silage wrap on our page about recycling silage wrap.
Other free ways to get rid of unwanted items
Similar to 'opportunity shops', if your items are in good working condition and considered worthy of re-sale by the gate operator, you can dispose of them for free at our buy-back centres (also known as 'tip shops'). It’s less hassle than trying to sell each item yourself, and you’re doing your bit to reduce our landfill.
You can learn more about the types of items accepted on our page on buy-back centres.
Important things to note:
- our disposal charges include a state government waste levy of $170.10 per tonne and 10% GST
- all vehicles are weighed in and out to calculate the net weight disposed (weight is rounded to the nearest 10kg)
- the minimum charge for a load is $9.00
- you can use a maximum of two (2) waste vouchers per load
- if the weighbridge is not functioning, non-weighbridge charges apply instead.
- horses, cows and other large animal carcasses are only accepted at West Nowra for disposal
Mixed waste
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic, commercial, building
|
$505 per tonne
|
Separated waste
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Asbestos*
(West Nowra and Ulladulla only)
|
$505 per tonne
|
Clean fill
(West Nowra, Huskisson)
|
$194 per tonne
|
Clean fill
(Ulladulla)
|
$206 per tonne
|
Contaminated soil
(West Nowra only)**
|
$505 per tonne
|
* Minimum charge $25. Booking required 24 hours in advance of disposal.
** Only available by prior arrangement. Must be classified by a NATA-certified laboratory as general solid waste (not-putrescible) in accordance with NSW EPA Waste Classification Guidelines.
Recycling
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Green waste
(<150mm diameter)
|
$145 per tonne
|
Untreated and unpainted timber
|
$145 per tonne
|
Tree trunks and roots
(>150mm diameter)
|
$209 per tonne
|
Separated bricks, concrete
|
$209 per tonne
|
Commercial quantities of separated recyclables
(e.g. glass, cardboard, etc).
|
$131 per tonne
|
Commercial quantities of co-mingled recyclables
|
$226 per tonne
|
Other fees
Fee type
|
Cost
|
Mattresses
|
$39 each
|
Mattresses - Bulk
(Minimum 6 separated)
|
$610 per tonne
|
Tyres - Car, Light Truck
(<850mm OD)
|
$25 each
|
Tyres - Truck
|
$78 each
|
Tyres - Tractor, bulk
(Separated, no rims)
|
$570 per tonne
|
Refrigerant de-gassing/removal
(Fridge, freezer, air-conditioner)
|
$18 each
|
Shredded garden organics loading fee
|
$13 each*
|
Commercial garden organics
|
$38 per tonne
|
Vehicle weighment
|
$29
|
* Shredded garden organics loading fee only applies if getting assistance from depot staff in loading garden organics. Self-loading is free.
At non-weighbridge sites, waste is charged according to vehicle type, waste type and volume.
Our disposal charges include a state government waste levy of $170.10 per tonne and 10% GST.
Bins
Domestic and commercial waste brought to a depot in a 240L waste bin can be disposed of for a fee of $15.
Cars, station wagons and SUVs
Please note: This charge is for the boot area of these vehicles and does not include the additional space obtained when folding down rear seats.
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic/commercial
|
$26
|
| Building |
N/A
|
Green
|
$9
|
Utes and vans
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic/commercial
|
$102
|
| Building |
$344
|
| Green |
$39
|
Large utes and vans
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic/commercial
|
$127.50
|
Building
|
$430
|
Green
|
$48.75
|
Single-axle trailer (up to 6' x 4')
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic/commercial waste
|
$102 level
$127.50 heaped
$153 full
|
Building waste
|
$344 level
$430 heaped
$516 full
|
Garden waste (green waste)
|
$39 level
$48.75 heaped
$58.50 full
|
Single or double-axle trailer (larger than 6' x 4' and smaller than 8' x 5')
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic/commercial waste
|
$127.50 level
$153 heaped
$178.50 full
|
Building waste
|
$430 level
$516 heaped
$602 full
|
Garden waste (green waste)
|
$48.75 level
$58.50 heaped
$68.25 full
|
Double-axle trailer (8' x 5')
Waste type
|
Cost
|
Domestic/commercial waste
|
$153 level
$178.50 heaped
$204 full
|
Building waste
|
$516 level
$602 heaped
$688 full
|
Garden waste (green waste)
|
$58.50 level
$68.25 heaped
$78 full
|
Please note: Cash is not accepted at any recycling and waste depot.
Household waste disposal vouchers
Eligible ratepayers receive two household waste disposal vouchers and two garden waste disposal vouchers per year with their rates notice.
Vouchers are barcoded to the rateable property and entitle the authorised holder to dispose of set quantities of household or garden waste free of charge.
EFTPOS or credit cards
Payments can be made with debit or credit cards at any of the depots. Accepted credit card types are Visa, Mastercard and AMEX cards only.
Account cards
Account cards are available for commercial businesses that are regular users of the depots (conditions apply). To apply for a waste disposal account contact wasteadmin@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.
Account card holders must produce an account card at the depot at the time of disposal, otherwise an alternative method of payment will be required for charges applicable.
Our page on ways to save at the depot offers tips on how to pre-sort your recycleables to get a lower charge.
You can also use your household and garden waste disposal vouchers to pay for fees and charges.
- load classification and size is determined by the depot staff
- waste containing more than 15% recyclables may not be accepted until sorted by the customer
- all charges are subject to the depot's ability to accept the loads
- separated unpainted/untreated timber will be received as green waste unless saleable for reuse
- large items not suitable for reuse or recycling must be broken down to fit loosely inside the transfer bins (e.g. wardrobes, beds, cupboards, etc.)
Please note: Asbestos will only be accepted at the West Nowra or Ulladulla depots in accordance with Council procedures. See our page on Asbestos for more details.
- please declare all waste and recyclable materials upon arrival at the weighbridge/gatehouse
- at weighbridge sites, all vehicles are weighed in and out to calculate the net weight disposed (weight is rounded to the nearest 10kg)
- at non-weighbridge sites, waste is charged according to vehicle type, waste type and volume
- prices are set according to the waste type
- a minimum charge applies to all chargeable waste loads
- GST (and if applicable the Section 88 Waste Levy) are included in waste charges