The two free weekends, allowing residents to drop off bulky waste, fridges, e-waste, air-conditioners and mattresses, have proven popular at Goulburn, Marulan and Tarago waste management centres.

They replaced the annual clean-up system, whereby the council picked up these items from residents' kerbside. This was abandoned last year, partly due to OH&S concerns.

A report to councillors at their recent meeting stated that 825 mattresses, 264 fridges/freezers, 113 airconditioners and 260 e-waste drop-offs had been received at the three facilities over the two weekends this year. All of these figures were an increase on the previous year.

Following a debrief, business manager, waste and recycling, Teena Riley recommended that the council also accept steel items, including any electrical items with a lead at the May disposal weekend for recyclables.

"There has been some confusion at the May free weekend as we accept refrigerators, freezers and air-conditioners but no electrical items like washing machines and dryers," she reported.

"Council is currently able to sell the steel from these additional goods and so the acceptance of this waste will not increase the cost of the service but enhance it and reduce confusion."

Items received at the November weekend would remain unchanged.

Ms Riley reported that in November, 2018 some 1100 residents disposed of 330 tonnes of waste and recycling. Much of this had been separated, allowing a more seamless process.

Last May there were significant delays due to queues on Common Street but this year the council put in a bypass lane, allowing two entry points to the Goulburn waste management depot. Together with additional staff, it reduced waiting times, Ms Riley said.

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