Disposing of household problem waste will be easier than ever for Lake Macquarie residents after the Belmont North Community Recycling Centre (CRC) opened this week.
The new CRC at Floraville Road will accept paints, oils, gas bottles, fluoro lights, smoke detectors, batteries, and other household waste items free of charge.
The project received $1.3 million in joint funding from the Department Primary Industries and Regional Development and the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said it was great to see this fantastic project completed and delivered to the Lake Macquarie community.
"The upgraded and accessible facility will empower the local community to reduce their waste, recycle and go a long way in protecting the environment," she said.
"This centre will make it easier for the community to safely dispose of problem household waste responsibly."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said the city's second CRC complemented the existing site at the Awaba Waste Management Facility on the western side of the lake.
"A second CRC site will make recycling problem waste more accessible and convenient for residents right across Lake Macquarie," he said.
"Last year we diverted about 250 tonnes of problem waste from landfill through the Awaba CRC and had more than 13,000 visitors come through and drop items off.
"We hope to see similar results at our new facility as we make it easier for people to do the right thing and keep problem waste out of landfill."
NSW EPA Executive Director of Programs and Innovation, Alexandra Geddes emphasised the urgent need for effective local waste solutions as NSW faces a landfill crisis.
"As we transition to a circular economy and tackle the landfill crisis, facilities like the Belmont centre provide local communities a free, easy and safe way to keep harmful materials from landfill, while championing reuse and sustainability," she said.
Member for Swansea Yasmin Catley said the new facility was a real milestone for Swansea.
"The opening of the facility shows what we can achieve when the community and government work together - making it easier for everyone to live more sustainably," she said.
"This is about more than just recycling - it's about pride in our town and doing right by the planet. Swansea locals care and now they've got a dedicated space to turn that care into action."
The Awaba CRC was the first facility of its kind set up in NSW and has proved a key cog in city's circular economy since opening in April 2014.
In the last year, Council recovered about 89 tonnes of paint, 75 tonnes of electronic waste, 36 tonnes of car batteries, 31 tonnes of motor oil and 25 tonnes of gas cylinders at the centre.
The centre also recycled eight tonnes of expanded polystyrene – which would fill up 1,400 standard wheelie bins - and 150 tonnes of cardboard, the equivalent of about 100 standard passenger cars.
The Belmont North CRC is located to 56-60 Floraville Road, Belmont North. Operating hours are 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 2pm on weekends. It will be closed on public holidays.
Head to lakemac.com.au
