The incidence of illegal dumping is expected to rise following an increase in frees at the Tuncurry Waste Transfer Station.
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Some handymen and gardeners have threatened to dump their waste claiming the fees are too exorbitant and cannot be absorbed by their customers.
MidCoast Council communications officer, Meagan Cooper explained that council had moved to the weigh-in, weigh-out system for all loads.
Previously, someone dropping a single box of waste would pay the same as someone dropping a boot full of waste, she said.
“The new system is much fairer.”
Comparing the per tonne rates, sorted waste has increased from $164 to $170/tonne – which equates to 17 cents/kg, while unsorted waste has increased from $270 to $340/tonne and green waste has gone from $55 to $70/tonne.
Since the new rates were introduced Dave Mills from David’s Speedy Gardening Service has seen a load of 700kg sorted waste increase from $68/tonne to $90/tonne, while unsorted has increased $51/tonne from $90 to $170/tonne.
“It’s fair enough council has to charge something; but paying $340 for an unsorted load – it doesn’t add up,” Dave said.
“And, introducing the increase in one hit is ridiculous,” he said.
Charles Degotardi paid $44.20 to dump a 2.6 tonne load of scrap metal.
In the past this has cost me about $14, Mr Degotardi said.
He questioned why council had charged him when the metal could be on-sold.
“Scrap metal is free to drop off, but it must be brought in to the tip on its own, not with other types of waste, Ms Cooper said.
“If delivered with other charged types of waste the metal will contribute to the weight of the load and could be charged as either sorted or unsorted.”
With the exception of commercial businesses, glass products can be dropped off for free at any of council’s tip facilities, while household items – car batteries, gas bottles, paint, fire extinguishers, motor oil and light globes – can be dropped at the Buckett’s Way tip also for free.
Green waste was turned into mulch and offered free at the Buckett’s Way tip for residents prepared to load up.
“This services isn’t available at Tuncurry as the mulc is actually being used in rehabilitating the landfill.”
Ms Cooper warned people who dumped illegally could be subjected to hefty penalties.