Working to cut the cost of illegal dumping

With illegal dumping costing the City of Stirling more than half a million dollars each financial year, the City is working on more ways to reduce this needless expense.

Breaking it down to a daily task, the City collects about 1.5 tonnes of illegally dumped materials in parks, streets, carparks, vacant lots and laneways.

Mayor Mark Irwin said the City would continue with its effort to inform residents about the many services available to them to dispose of their rubbish safely or to recycle those items too good to throw away.

Open 362 days a year, the City’s dedicated recycling centre in Balcatta enables residents to dispose of recyclables and reusable items, household hazardous waste, general waste and even car tyres.

“Illegal dumping is a blight on our community, but we’re finding ways to reduce it from happening,” Mayor Irwin said. “We’re heavily promoting the options available to residents to recycle those unwanted goods that could benefit others and the various disposal options on offer.”

The City also provides free on-demand waste services including free mattress collection, free electronic waste collection and free fridge or freezer collection, as well as a skip bin every year and tip passes. Most recently, the City hosted another clothing drop-off day that resulted in 25 tonnes of goods being recycled by local charities.

In an effort to deter illegal dumpers, the City has increased its surveillance cameras and patrols in areas where people commonly dump their rubbish. People caught dumping rubbish can be fined up to $2,000.

Calls for residents to report acts of illegal dumping has led to an increase in reports and enquiries, which it’s hoped will lead to the identification of more offenders. It’s as easy as taking note of the person or vehicle (including the number plate) and time of the incident and phoning the City on (08) 9205 8555.

While the City’s Recycling Centre Balcatta does not accept asbestos, residents can dispose of up to 165kg of asbestos at the Tamala Park landfill site. Three to four sheets of asbestos fencing can be dropped off free of charge on Sundays, with fees applying for disposal of larger amounts. Redhill landfill site also accepts asbestos at a cost. Visit www.stirling.wa.gov.au/waste for more details.