If you've looked around the streets of Taree and dispaired about rubbish blighting our streets, there is something you can do to help.
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Midwaste Regional Waste Forum have been undertaking a project in collaboration with Midcoast Council to reduce illegal dumping in Taree.
The focus of the project was to inform residents that it is illegal to put household items or waste on the kerbside, and provide information about the right way to dispose of unwanted items.
Four ways to properly dispose of your bulky waste:
- Donate good-quality items to a charity or second-hand store, or sell online.
- Recycle for FREE at the Waste Management Centre: white goods, TV's, computers, gas bottles, paint, oil, batteries, light globes, smoke detectors and more.
- Visit www.midcoastwaste.com.au for the dates in your area for the free annual scrap metal and bulky waste clean up.
- Phone 6591 7222 for advice, take it to your local Waste Management Centre, or book a local waste removal contractor to collect it.
During the project, where illegal dumping incidents in the Taree area were found, the residents in the surrounding area received a notice in their letterbox asking the offender to take the material back into their property, and providing the above options for proper disposal.
This resulted in over 50 per cent of the dumped material being removed by the offender.
Where the material was not removed, signage was added to further encourage the offender to take responsibility, and this resulted in 40 per cent of the remaining material being removed.
"We want residents to know that the only time it's OK to put unwanted items on the kerbside is just before the annual scrap metal and bulky waste clean-up, or if you have booked a waste collection with a waste removal contractor," said Jem Hansen, Environmental Consultant, who managed the project.
"Fines of $2,000 or more can apply to the dumping of waste on the kerb".
Report it
Everyone can help keep Taree clean by reporting illegal dumping when they see it in the streets or in the bush.
Illegal dumping can be reported to Council or you can report through the NSW EPA's online program at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au.
Did you know?
Some material being dumped on our streets and in the bush could be dropped off for free at the waste management centre where it is properly recycled or disposed of.
This includes white goods, TVs, computers, paint, oil, gas bottles, batteries, smoke detectors, fluoro globes and more.
