Concern over illegal dumping at recycling depot

Hastings District Council is concerned that the message on illegal dumping of waste is not getting through to residents.

An increase in the amount of waste being illegally dumped at the Martin Place Recycling Depot in Havelock North has been reported over the past few months.

This waste includes TV’s and computer monitors, a lounge suite, garden furniture, flood damaged carpet and a washing machine. Martin Place only caters for recyclable packaging and does not have facilities to handle rubbish or second hand goods, meaning staff must spend a considerable amount of time each day removing this type of rubbish.

Waste Minimisation Officer Dominic Salmon says, “The number of incidents and the amount of waste being illegally dumped at the depot has increased ahead of the Easter holidays. The frustrating thing is that many of the items which have been dumped could have been recycled through the correct facility at no charge, such as the washing machine which could have been taken to a scrap metal dealer.”

Signs have been installed around the depot, warning that dumping of rubbish is illegal and action will be taken against those who are caught.

“Some of the problem stems from people just being too lazy to empty their containers into the recycling bins provided at the depot, which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We will be closely monitoring this popular facility and will be stepping up enforcement action in an effort to put a stop to this illegal dumping,” Mr Salmon says.

Dominic Salmon says “Those who choose to dump their waste outside the depot are taking advantage of its location in a quiet cul-de-sac and some of the culprits are brazenly dumping the material in broad daylight”

The Martin Place Recycling Depot is now extremely busy with the 300 tonnes of recycling collected in 2006 growing to 1200 tonnes in 2011.