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Residents issued $1,674 warning against 'rocky relationship' with bin collectors
Putting your waste in the correct place can be an absolute minefield, particularly as new bins and rules continue to be implemented in different council areas across the country in a bid to curb the country's growing rubbish and landfill crisis.
But one local authority has been forced to "set the record straight" and issue an unlikely reminder to its residents about what can and cannot go into the rubbish after garbos made an unexpectedly heavy discovery inside a resident's green bin.
Redland City Council, situated southeast of Brisbane, recently shared an image of several large slabs of concrete amongst green waste inside a wheelie bin on the side of the road. "We have concrete evidence that someone has put the wrong thing in their green waste bin," council said, joking that green waste habits "need to be reinforced".
It urged residents to avoid putting heavy material like concrete in the green bin, which is only for garden organics like grass clippings, leaves, prunings, small branches, shrub and hedge trimmings, sticks, bark and weeds. Some council areas also accept food scraps in their green bins.
Analysing the image, leading waste management company Veolia told Yahoo News it agrees with the council regarding the shocking discovery. "It's a hard no from us when it comes to putting concrete in green bins," a spokesperson said.
Aussies warned against 'rocky relationship' with garbos
"It's always helpful to know what to put in the bin" to "avoid a rocky relationship with the people who pick up your bins," the Veolia spokesperson advised.
Garbage trucks commonly have cameras filming waste as it drops from residents' wheelie bins, with the images being sent to councils. Those caught doing the wrong thing can face fines.
This was recently highlighted by an Aussie garbo who shared a video of exactly what he sees when rubbish is tipped into his truck. "Here's our cameras," the garbage man wrote alongside the video. "Everyone, this is how we know what's in your bins."
The new technology is forcing residents to think twice about how they dispose of their waste. In some council areas, incorrect disposal can lead to harsh penalties of up to $1,674.
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What to do with concrete and heavy materials
Council explained the main reason why heavy materials cannot be collected in the green waste bin is that it contaminates the rest of the load. This can see the entire load end up in landfill, instead of being recycled. The other reason is that it can damage collection vehicles, as well as your bin.
"Generally, the most constructive approach for concrete or items like bricks, pavers, or tiles, is to take these to recycling and waste centres," the Veolia spokesperson said.
In Redland, it's understood that small amounts of concrete can be taken to Birkdale and Redland Bay Recycling and Waste Centres. Planet Ark's Recycling Near You page can help Aussies across the country decide where their rubbish needs to go.
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