Public information can help stop illegal rubbish dumping

Hastings District Council is disappointed that rubbish is being dumped outside the Martin Place Recycling Centre in Havelock North.

Waste Minimisation Officer Dominic Salmon says “Over the past few weeks there has been an increase in material being found dumped outside the depot, even though the facility is open 24 hours a day. Staff have found a tatty old lounge suite, a rusted barbeque, two old stoves, several bags of clothes and assorted household rubbish left outside the recycling depot.”

“Most of this material is rubbish but some of it could have been sold to a scrap metal dealer by the owner for a small amount of cash. Some of the problem stems from people being just too lazy to empty their containers into the recycling bins provided inside the depot,” Mr Salmon says.

The Martin Place Recycling Depot is now extremely busy with the 300 tonnes of waste collected in 2006 growing to 1200 tonnes this year. The latest survey shows 50% of users live in the rural area and the depot has become a very convenient drop off point for residents who don’t have a weekly recycling collection.

Dominic Salmon says “Those who choose to dump their recycling outside the depot are taking advantage of its location in a quiet cul-de-sac and must be using a ute or trailer to deliver the rubbish due to the size of the items.”

“This dumping is adding to the cost of running the successful community facility and is a nuisance to neighbouring businesses. Council is now considering increasing security at the depot to stamp out illegal dumping.”
Mr Salmon says council follows up reported incidents of illegal dumping of rubbish around Hastings District. “The location and type of rubbish which has been dumped should be reported to council, immediately it is spotted.”

Options to improve the service provided at the Martin Place Recycling Depot are being considered and the community will have a chance to comment on the new proposals early next year.