By ALECIA PINNER
A DANDENONG North woman said she was outraged to see hard-rubbish
contractors compact recyclable and dangerous goods on more than one
occasion.
The Journal
The incorrect procedure was confirmed by Greater Dandenong council, which has taken immediate action to prevent reoccurrence.
The woman reported that she saw Greater Dandenong council
contractors compacting a refrigerator without degassing it, as well as a
flat-screen television. The items were left on a neighbour’s nature
strip for pick-up.
The woman said she had seen similar methods of operation two
months earlier when she booked a hard-rubbish collection, and also two
years ago in nearby Aberdeen Drive.
“This is the third time I’ve seen it,” the resident said. “Two
months ago I put some antique rocking chairs out because I thought they
would go to the charity shop but they were compacted.
“I am outraged. Our rates pay for them to recycle the goods.”
Greater Dandenong council’s engineering services director, Bruce
Rendall, apologised for the error, assuring residents “we take our
environmental responsibilities seriously”.
He said the council’s hard-waste service included the collection
and degassing of refrigerators and the collection and recycling of
e-waste.
“We recently received a report that a refrigerator and a
television were placed into a compactor, rather than appropriately
collected,” he said.
“Council followed up straight away by inspecting the collected load and confirming the resident’s report.
“As a result of this non-compliant action, council immediately
issued a contract non-conformance and sought assurances from the
contractor that such an action will not occur again.”
A council spokeswoman said the non-compliance notice was the first
for the year and the first for contractors WM Waste Management Service.
