The Awaba Community Recycling Centre  is the first plant of its kind  in NSW.

Residents can dump items such as paints, oils, batteries and other dangerous pollutants that could previously only be taken to specific drop-off points at certain times.

They can use the new plant for free.

Lake Macquarie mayor Jodie Harrison said the plant would help the council stay on track to achieve its target of a 70? per cent reduction in landfill during a 10-year period.