Calls for drastic change as roadside photos expose 'disastrous' nationwide problem
Photos taken on the Melbourne-bound side of the Western Highway in the Victorian town of Bacchus Marsh highlight the aftermath of workers allegedly mowing and strimming directly over dumped litter hidden beneath overgrown grass.
Polyester fibres, plastic bottles, tarpaulin, polystyrene, a paint bucket and even the hubcap of a car's wheel are among items shredded to pieces and left strewn on the side of the busy stretch of road, largely unseen as motorists whizz by on their way to the city.
Sadly, when rubbish — particularly plastic — is shredded in this way, it is virtually impossible to remove from the environment. "I suspect that slashing and mowing without prior litter removal happens all over Australia," the resident, who asked to remain anonymous, told Yahoo News.
Resident 'very angry' at illegal dumping issue
Illegal dumping is a huge issue in the region, with Danny Gorog, CEO and founder of council reporting app Snap Send Solve, previously telling Yahoo News illegal dumping "signals a bigger issue with waste disposal accessibility and awareness".
In Victoria alone, there were 263,000 reports of illegal dumping to Snap Send Solve last year, exposing just how widespread the problem is.
The local, who regularly collects rubbish from his local area, said he is "so very angry" at the lack of concern for the environment by authorities.
"That practice is disastrous as far as microplastic dispersal is concerned. It happens all over Australia, not just in Moorabool Shire or the state of Victoria."
He is calling on all levels of government to "start talking and take action" on the extent of plastic waste in the Australian environment.
However, the issue of plastics is one that leaders around the world are struggling to grapple with. Last week, representatives from 185 nations met in Geneva to try and draft the world's first legally-binding treaty to deal with plastic pollution, which ultimately ended without a consensus.
But the Bacchus Marsh resident warns that eventually, someone will pay the price. "With the plastic waste problems, future generations will pay the highest price," he said, adding that at the moment, "people do not behave responsibly when it comes to waste disposal".
🏡 Photos show huge problem facing Australia's fastest growing city
😢 Confronting photos expose $2.3 million hidden reality in housing race
🧱 Sad reasons why 'disgusting' dumping is on the rise in Australia
Why is mowing over plastic on roadsides a problem?
The resident's concerns were echoed by Dr Michelle Blewitt of the Australian Microplastic Assessment Project (AUSMAP).
"Sadly, this is not an isolated incident," she told Yahoo News. It's not just roadsides where this is taking place, with Michelle explaining that this is also occurring in parks and on beaches.
"The council's job is to mow or rake, and that's what they do, without the thought of picking up the rubbish prior to using their tools," she said.
It's understood in this instance, the Western Highway is maintained by VicRoads. Yahoo News has contacted the authority for comment, but it has not responded at the time of publication.
"Larger items found on the roadside get broken up into smaller pieces that then blow, potentially into waterways close to the roads and highways and are much more likely to be potentially consumed by foraging animals," she said.
On beaches, where the process of raking takes place, larger pieces of plastic are broken into smaller ones and "up mixing with the sand, making it much more difficult to remove".
The Victorian Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) told Yahoo News that residents are urged to report instances of litter.
"Litter is an issue," a spokesperson said, adding that those who throw rubbish from a vehicle can face serious fines.
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Calls for drastic change as roadside photos expose 'disastrous' nationwide problem
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