Council has secured $86,121 in NSW Government funding to purchase and install a new expanded polystyrene (EPS) compactor at the Gregadoo Waste Management Centre (GWMC).
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) confirmed last week (15 August 2025) that Wagga Wagga would receive the funding as part of Round 5 allocations from the $5.9 million Landfill Consolidation and Environmental Improvements Grants Program.
The program supports regional councils to review operations and deliver projects that increase resource recovery, help to extend landfill life and improve operational and environmental outcomes.
GWMC Facilities Manager Andrea Baldwin welcomed the funding announcement which will see the new machine replace the site's existing small-scale melting unit.
"Upgrading to this new equipment will give us the capacity to manage much larger volumes of polystyrene from both local and regional sources," Ms Baldwin said.
"It will allow for more efficient, measurable processing and provide significant environmental benefits by diverting polystyrene from landfill. We appreciate the NSW EPA's support, which will help Wagga Wagga take another step towards a circular economy."
The new compactor is expected to be operational by November 2025.
Council's Director Economy, Business and Workforce Fiona Piltz said it forms part of a greater suite of upgrades and improvements in the process of being delivered at the Waste Management Centre.
"This investment is one of several upgrades underway at Gregadoo, each of which is designed to help prepare the facility for the city's future waste needs," Ms Piltz said.
"The new compactor will not only stop more polystyrene ending up in landfill – it will also support the remanufacture of this material into new products such as skirting boards, kitchen cupboards and picture frames.
"Together with other planned upgrades, it's helping us build a more efficient, future-ready waste facility for a growing Wagga Wagga."
In the meantime, residents and businesses can continue to drop off polystyrene free of charge at the GWMC. To make sure these materials can be recycled effectively, Council is asking the community to take a few simple steps when preparing loads.
Packaging should be broken down, tape and labels should be removed as much as reasonably possible, and materials kept clean and dry.
Loads should be covered during transport, and customers are reminded to advise the weighbridge if they are carrying recyclables and follow instructions when directed to the transfer stations.
For the full list of recyclable items, visit wagga.nsw.gov.au.au/waste
