By Casey Neill
Don’t dump – donate.
That’s the message from Greater Dandenong Council and local charities this festive season.
The council’s residential amenity co-ordinator, Daniel Maltar, said removing dumped rubbish was costing Vinnies Springvale about $700 each month.
“Council would be spending even more,” he said.
“It’s an issue that many people like Vinnies have.
“A lot of people are dumping sometimes usable things, but a lot of the time non-usable things in front and at the rear of their shop.
“From our perspective it’s litter.
“A large portion of the people probably think they’re doing the right thing.
“They can face fines and even prosecution.”
Those fines are issued under the Environmental Protection Act and start at $317 for a “general deposit litter offence”.
Mr Maltar said the council had been working with Vinnies to combat the issue.
The opportunity shop provides CCTV footage following dumps and the council investigates.
“We generally rely on a registration plate or something in the rubbish itself, a letter or something,” he said.
“We’ve had some impact.
“But one dumping a week is one too many.
“We want to stop litter from happening but we still want people to donate to Vinnies because they offer a critical community service.
“It’s more about changing that behaviour.”
Mr Maltar said people should donate items in good condition during business hours or call Vinnies to organise a pick-up time for bulky items.
The council offers free hard waste collections and other disposal services for rubbish.
Visit www.greaterdandenong.com for more information.
