Community Service Exemption from the waste levy

The Community Service Exemption (CSE) provides charitable or not-for-profit organisations with an exemption from the NSW waste levy for eligible waste collected or received through community services or activities.

Waste that is not generated as a direct result of providing the community service or activity that the exemption has been granted for, must not be claimed under the exemption.

Waste that is NOT covered under the exemption includes:

  • general office or staff kitchen waste
  • waste generated from the clean-up, renovation, refurbishment or maintenance of an organisation’s property.

Eligible waste

For the waste to be eligible for an exemption, an organisation must:

  • be recognised as a public land manager, charitable and/or not for profit organisation
  • meet all the requirements for the categories they are applying under.

The categories are

  • donation
  • public clean-up
  • other community service

When applying, you will be asked questions about the category you have selected. Where waste is associated with multiple services, for example opportunity shop and clean-up events, you must apply under all relevant categories.

Categories

The donation category applies to waste associated with items donated by the community that can’t be reused or resold and must be disposed of.

For the waste to be exempt, an organisation must:

  • receive donated goods from the community for the purposes of reuse or reselling.
 

Examples of organisations that might apply for the CSE under the donation category include opportunity shops and mens’ sheds.

The public service category applies to waste associated with organisations or not for profit groups that collect waste from public areas as part of a clean-up activity.

For the waste to be exempt, an organisation must:

  • be recognised as a charitable or not-for-profit organisation through EITHER:
  • collect the waste in a public area that is accessible to the community
  • use volunteers to carry out the clean-up activity. A volunteer takes part in the community service activity of their own free will without payment.
  • the activity or service must involve all volunteers or both volunteer and paid workers.

Examples of organisations that might apply for the CSE under the public clean-up category include organisations that run clean-up events in a public area that is accessible to the community such as:

  • Local and National Parks
  • road reserves, rest areas and nature strips
  • beaches and rivers

Organisations are not eligible for the CSE if their clean-up activities occur in areas that not are accessible to the public, such as private properties and common areas under strata.

The other community service category applies to waste received through a community service or activity, by organisations that do not fit the criteria for the donation or clean-up categories.

To qualify under this category, an organisation must:

Waste generated as a result of office or staff kitchen activities, as well as waste generated from the clean-up, renovation, refurbishment or maintenance of the organisation’s property is not eligible for a CSE.

Examples of organisations that might apply for a CSE under the other community service category include:

  • community support centres
  • community gardens
  • outreach centres

Conditions for holding a CSE certificate

Organisations issued a CSE Certificate must comply with these conditions:

  • Records must be kept of the amount and type of waste disposed, including weighbridge dockets, and the EPA-licenced landfill where the waste is disposed.
  • Any documents such as disposal receipts or dockets must be kept.
  • Records must be kept for six years, and be provided to the EPA on request.
  • Exemptions can only be claimed for waste taken to EPA-licensed waste disposal facilities.
  • Waste claimed under the exemption must be transported by the applicant, not transported by a contractor.
  • Asbestos or asbestos contaminated waste can not be claimed under the exemption.
  • Waste that is not generated as a direct result of providing the community service or activity for which the CSE has been issued can not be claimed under the exemption. This includes general office or staff kitchen waste, as well as waste generated from the clean-up, renovation, refurbishment or maintenance of the organisation’s property.
  • Exempt and non-exempt waste must be clearly separated and easily distinguished.

Apply for a CSE

CSEs are granted for a maximum of two years. Organisations should reapply at least a month before their exemption is due to expire.

Dealing with illegal dumping at charitable donation bins and shops, and unwanted electronic goods 

The EPA has released an Action Plan (PDF 1194KB) outlining how we will reduce illegal dumping at charitable donation bins and shops.

For information about reusing, recycling or disposing of unwanted household computers and televisions that cannot be sold or given away by community and charitable organisations see:

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