The issue has recently been brought to the attention of the waste team at MidCoast Council.

Not only is raiding people’s bins illegal, complaints have been made about the mess the bin raiders have left in their wake.

According to MidCoast Council’s manager, waste health and regulatory services, John Cavanagh, the introduction of the Container Deposit Scheme in December has sparked the interest of over-zealous container collectors.

“What they perhaps don’t realise is that the contents of someone else’s bin are in the legal possession of the property owner when on private land, and of council when the bins are placed on the kerbside for collection.”

Ownership is transferred to MidCoast Council’s waste service provider, JR Richards and Sons, once the bin is collected.

“Rubbish placed inside kerbside bins is not up for grabs, and by emptying bins on the verge to scavenge containers worth just ten cents apiece, bin raiders are showing their complete lack of respect for our local neighbourhoods,” John said.

The NSW Government’s ‘Return and Earn’ container deposit scheme offers a rebate of ten cents on every eligible container.

Residents can participate by returning containers to participating sites across the region, which according to the Return and Earn website include: Newspower Chatham, Old Bar Tavern, Autolec Gloucester, Stroud Rural, Booral Produce, Resource Recovery Tuncurry, Forster Surf Lifesaving Club, Cape Hawke Surf Life Saving Club, and Stockland Forster.

Can bin raiders be prosecuted for stealing?

“That’s a question for the local police,” John said.

“For now, we’re encouraging residents to use the Container Deposit Scheme themselves, as one way of deterring bin raiders.”

For more information about the Return and Earn container deposit scheme, visit www.returnandearn.org.au

To report littering that may be a result of bin raiding in your street, visit www.midcoast.nsw.gov.au/report