Wakefield’s unlimited waste disposal trial concludes
COUNCIL’S trial of unlimited waste disposal at transfer stations will conclude after a two-year trial period.
Residents will once again use Council’s transfer station voucher system. The vouchers will be issued with first quarter rates for 2026/27.
The 12-month trial was implemented in July 2024 to help with the transition and introduction of fortnightly kerbside waste collection across Wakefield, the program was extended for a further 12 months in July 2025.
Combined kerbside and transfer station collections for the first six months of 2025/26 has seen a reduction of general waste to landfill of 106 tonnes, compared to last financial year.
The community’s adoption of improved kerbside waste behaviours during this period of six months has seen 14 tonnes of recyclables, and 146 tonnes of green waste diverted from general waste.
A total of 160 tonnes has been diverted from general kerbside waste.
“Seeing household waste properly diverted to recycling or green waste is a great result from our switch to fortnightly bin collection, we know the process is working as we continue to see the total for general waste falling,” Mayor Rodney Reid said.
“In the early stages of fortnightly collection, we saw a large rise in refuse at our transfer stations – between 2023/24 and 2024/25 there was an additional 73 tonnes taken to our stations.
“This was expected due to residents taking advantage of unlimited waste disposal having an initial large clean out, or clearing items they had been holding on to such as old furniture or mattresses that are hard to dispose of.
“Residents were also using the transfer stations to deal with any excess waste as they transitioned to the fortnightly system,” Mayor Reid said.
Council will notify residents through advertising and social media when the first quarter rates have been sent in 2026/27 so residents can check for their vouchers.