Council has officially approved its first Waste Management Strategy, which aims to see less waste going to the landfill, as well as increasing resource recovery through "waste avoidance, reuse, recycle and reprocessing".

It contains a number of actions under three main priorities - diverting waste from landfill and increasing resource recovery; enhancing service delivery and performance through improved data capture; and providing cost effective, equitable and long- term waste services to the community.

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The diversion rate is defined as the proportion of total waste generated that is recovered, either through reuse, recycling or treatment, and is therefore diverted from landfill.

Council's aim is to have a diversion target of 50 per cent, up from 41 per cent, by 2026.

Council is also aiming to improve its waste diversion performance closer to the goals set by the NSW Environment Protection Authority.

The strategy had been on public exhibition for the community to comment on before it was finalised.

Many commented on the need for more education around recycling and reducing waste.

Another resident suggested "dump for free" weekends will be required as a result of the fee structure changing for the landfill, while another said council report back to ratepayers about the landfill on a regular basis.

Many raised concerns about fees that would be imposed for domestic waste when individuals head out to the facility themselves, while another saw the strategy as positive and said it would dissuade users from other towns bringing their own personal rubbish to the landfill.

"Council is pleased to adopt the inaugural strategy which recognises the importance of sustainable waste management services for our communities and reflects a strategic approach to the challenges of reducing waste and increasing resource recovery within the shire," councillor Paul Smith said.

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One of those speaking against the strategy, was former council staff member Garry Stoll.

"It is both disappointing and concerning that the first priority of the draft Leeton Shire Council Waste Management Strategy is to impose a charge for all domestic waste taken to the Leeton Landfill," Mr Stoll said before the final adoption.

"The draft strategy argues new charges are needed to drive behavioural change in Leeton residents by making them separate their waste at the landfill to reduce or prevent the charges they may have to pay.

"However, many councils who charge access fees suffer significant levels of illegal dumping which would be unwelcome given the reduction in the numbers of compliance staff at council."