KESAB backs three-strike plan to fine
The state’s environmental clean up body has backed a proposal to fine residents caught “blatantly” using the wrong bin.
Environmental crusaders KESAB has thrown its support East Waste’s proposal to fine households and businesses who repeatedly put rubbish in the wrong bin.
KESAB executive director John Phillips said that East Waste’s proposed “three-stike policy” is just one way to improve recycling habits.
The Sunday Mail reported that people caught “blatantly” abusing their three-bin waste service would be warned twice then fined under East Waste’s plan.
Environment Minister David Speirs has declined on to comment on the idea, with a spokesman for the minister calling it a “council issue”.
Mr Phillips encouraged the seven hills and metropolitan councils that East Waste services to consider the proposal because “clearly there is too much contamination”.
He said the proposal is not about “scaremongering”, but about a much-needed change of behaviour.
“It is one of those out there sort of proposals that says ‘hey, we need to be discussing these actions’,” Mr Phillips said.
“Through data, we know there is people blatantly using the wrong bins … it is almost like illegal dumping in your household bin.”
East Waste collects rubbish from Burnside, Campbelltown, Mitcham, Norwood Payneham & St Peters, Prospect, Walkerville and Adelaide Hills councils.
Rubbish trucks are equipped with cameras to identify potential contamination when bins are routinely emptied.
East Waste general manager Rob Gregory said the proposal had been well-received.
He said they are in talks with local councils and some had shown support.
The State Government unexpectedly increased its solid waste levy — the price per tonne councils are charged to dump waste in landfill — by almost 40 per cent.