Call to dob in dumpers

Tuesday, 27 March 2018

Rubbish bags dumped at the end of roads in the Western Bay will be on dob-in-a-dumper watch.

There is a particular problem in the District where people dump pre-paid rubbish bags on rural roads. Western Bay of Plenty District Council is urging residents to dob in dumpers by taking car registration numbers and photos of the culprits.

Council has had enough and is aiming to identify and fine those partaking in this particularly nasty habit up to $500 under the Litter Act.

Environmental Solid Waste Team Leader Ilze Kruis says people are leaving bags throughout the week, which become unsightly, smelly and are often ripped apart and spread around by dogs.

Often these dumping hot spots are by school bus stops and other well used intersections. It creates a huge mess, can be a danger to road users, and is unsafe and unsanitary.

Hot spots around the District include the corner of Rocky Cutting and Welcome Bay roads; at the school bus shelter at the end of Waitao Road in Welcome Bay; Neewood Road Ohauiti, Mountain Road in Oropi and Work Roads near Katikati.

Signs will be erected at hot spots warning against illegally dumping and where possible surveillance cameras will be used.

We're unsure if people are just unaware that they can't place pre-paid bags here or are deliberately dumping their rubbish because it's easier than waiting for their pick-up day or driving to a transfer station.

For this reason we're looking for help to identify recidivist rubbish dumpers.

Pre-paid rubbish bags can only be placed directly outside the gate of the property where the rubbish is generated.

If your home does not have kerbside collection please make arrangements with a door-to-door contractor or take your rubbish to a transfer station in Te Maunga, Tauranga or Waihi.

To dob in a dumper email Customer Service Customer.Service@westernbay.govt.nz or phone 0800 Trashy.