Report it to RID it – City of Wagga Wagga launches illegal dumping campaign

With a 2015/16 clean-up bill of $183,000, Wagga Wagga, it’s time to get RID of illegal dumping.

RID, or Report Illegal Dumping, is part of the City of Wagga Wagga’s new ‘Don’t Dump, it’s Dumb’ campaign to help tackle and prevent illegal dumping.

“Dumping rubbish or unwanted goods in reserves, gullies, along roadsides or anywhere that isn’t an approved rubbish or recycling centre is a fineable offence,” Environmental Education Officer Alice Kent said.

“A fine for illegal dumping is significantly more expensive then the cost of a trip to the tip to dispose of waste responsibly – it’s just not worth the risk.”

“There is also the huge environmental impact. We are spoilt with beautiful areas along the river, around the lake and lagoons and bushland reserves and it is sad when dumped rubbish detracts from this beauty.”

The campaign aims to reduce the incidences of illegal dumping through a comprehensive awareness program complete with two 15-second television commercials, distribution of report-an-incident postcards and educational posters.

There will also be a free mattress disposal day, installation of infrastructure to prevent illegal dumping in known dumping hot spots, such as fencing and signage, and surveillance to help identify, fine and deter offenders.

“As well as sending the message of responsible disposal of waste, we are also asking residents to report offenders or incidents of illegal dumping,” Miss Kent said.

“The longer waste is left in the environment the more damage it can cause and the costlier it becomes to clean up and remove. This bill, sadly, is a community expense that has to be covered through rates.”

Residents can report incidents of illegal dumping by phoning 131 555 or at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au. Promotional RID postcards can also be used to record incidences and then report via the hotline or website. More information is also available at www.wagga.nsw.gov.au/rid

The ‘Don’t Dump, it’s Dumb’ campaign has been made possible through a $123,000 grant from the NSW Environment Protection Authority Waste Less, Recycle More initiative, funded from the waste levy.