It means that residents can be part of a greater community movement to manage waste and recycling in a more sustainable manner, improving resource recovery and protecting expensive infrastructure, people and our environment.
Undertaking waste and recycling collections is not without risk to the environment and our neighbourhood amenities unless managed properly. The City needs a Waste Local Law that aims to ensure waste is disposed of correctly and safely, protecting, assets and our environment.
Many elements of the City’s Waste Local Law are not new. The Waste Local Law has consolidated waste and recycling requirements into one document to simplify and strengthen the sustainable management of waste and recycling in Kwinana.
The City’s emphasis is on educating the community. Fines will generally only be given when repeated advice is not acted upon, or when dangerous/hazardous goods are placed out for collection that creates an unacceptable level of risk.
Asbestos, batteries, gas bottles/aerosol cans, containers of chemicals, oils and flares are some items that are considered hazardous. For more information, see Household Hazardous Waste Information and Disposal Sites.
Hazardous wastes are items that have the potential to be dangerous to the community and environment if not disposed of in the correct manner. They can cause fires, explosions, spills or other hazards that may result in injuries, death and damage.
The introduction of the Waste Local Law is not intended to increase bin audits. Audits are conducted when the City receives a complaint from the public or by our contractors. All collection trucks used in the City of Kwinana are fitted with onboard cameras to improve safety, provide service confirmation and identify contamination.
The City has an education-first approach and will continue the annual bin tagging education program with the aim to reduce waste going to landfill and improve recycling rates in Kwinana. Bin tagging is intended to help residents recycle more effectively and is not used for enforcement purposes. Bins are not checked until placed out for collection.
Some of the key things the Waste Local Law prohibits include:
- Putting hazardous wastes in bins ($350) or the verge collection ($400).
- Placing your bulk and green wastes out too early or too late ($400).
- Putting recyclable materials in your general waste bin ($350).
- Putting garden or general waste in your recycle bin ($350).
- Illegal dumping will incur a $500 fine and the cost of clean-up and disposal.