Ideas canvassed for addressing illegal dumping around charity bins

Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said today's meeting with charity organisations to address illegal dumping around charity bins had produced a range of ideas on how to deal with the problem.

"While charity bins provide a convenient way for people to donate clothing, footwear and blankets to people in need, the increase in illegal dumping outside these bins has become a serious waste problem and an eyesore," theChief Minister said.

"This problem has been made worse by people dumping large and bulky items like televisions, computers and broken and unusable furniture, which the charity outlets do not need or want."

Today's meeting involved representatives from the broader charity sector, particularly those who have permits to locate bins. There are currently 239 charity bins located across the ACT; a condition of all permits is to keep sites clean.

"This afternoon's meeting was a good opportunity for all involved in the placement and approval of charity bins to discuss options for dealing with this problem," the Chief Minister said.

Some of the ideas put forward included:

• Providing more information to the public about the items charities need
• Identifying problem locations
• Rationalising and regionalising charity bins
• A bulky waste pick up service
• Free day at the tip
• Monitoring of bins - such as increased surveillance
• Improved public awareness of illegal dumping
• Naming and shaming
• Dob in a dumper
• Better ways of sharing the costs of managing charity donations

"All these ideas will now be looked at in more detail with Territory and Municipal Services staff to work with each of the charities over the next month before reconvening another meeting in March," the Chief Minister said.

"I appreciated the opportunity to discuss these issues with the charity organisations, and look forward to working with them as we develop solutions to overcome the current problems," the Chief Minister said