Australia’s Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has stepped forward to remind the community that dumping rubbish is unacceptable.
Ali Bigg, Council’s Waste Strategies and Education Officer, said disposal of rubbish in the bush is obviously an illegal activity, yet the legalities seem to have little to no effect on people who continue to do it.
“Not only does it cause a visual eyesore, it can have major impacts on the environment, including spreading weed species and the leaching of harmful products into waterways and soils,” Ms Bigg said.
“Other forms of illegal dumping that are not so well known include putting household rubbish in public litter bins, leaving items on the verge and placing items in other people’s skip bins. All of these activities can incur a large fine.”
The Council offers a wide range of services to help residents dispose of waste. Although the council does encourage reusing recyclable items it also provides a number of recycling services.
The council also supports programmes such as Cartridges for Planet Ark, a campaign set up to collect and recycle used inkjet cartridges and toner containers. MobileMuster is the country’s mobile phone recycling leader and offers collection bins at a large number of mobile phone retail stores.
“A handy hint prior to purchasing is to ask yourself the following in relation to the item: can I avoid or reduce my use of it? Can it be reused or recycled? How will I dispose of it responsibly?
“By making a habit of conscious purchasing, recycling and responsible disposal, we can make a great contribution to the planet. Don’t be a dumping dummy, be a responsible recycler,” Ms Bigg said.
To learn more, visit: mobilemuster.com.au
Cartridges for Planet Ark, MobileMuster
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