Litter is one of the most threatening things endangering our planet today. JUNK.com.au is in the business of rubbish removal. It’s become clear to us that there is an alarming amount of ‘illegal dumping’ going on in the areas we operate.
This kind of rubbish is causing terrible damage to our environment. Not only a massive eye sore, illegal dumping is causing immediate problems to the environment we live in and the habitats of the wildlife around us.
WHAT IS ILLEGAL DUMPING/ ILLEGAL RUBBISH REMOVAL?:
EPA Victoria (Environmental Protection Agency Victoria) defines it as:
“Illegal waste disposal is sometimes referred to as ‘illegal dumping’. Not all illegally disposed waste has been dumped.
Illegal waste disposal means deliberately dumping, tipping or burying waste on private or public land that’s not licensed to accept it.
It’s against the law to illegally dispose of waste. It causes pollution, impacts our health and threatens wildlife. It costs Victorians around $30 million a year”.
WHAT IS THE VICTORIAN GOVERNMENT DOING ABOUT IT?
EPA Victoria has created ‘The Illegal Waste Disposal Program’: It aims to disrupt systematic illegal waste disposal. It focuses on illegal large-scale industrial and hazardous waste disposal.
Large-scale illegal waste disposal often involves criminal networks. Potential large financial gain drives their actions and they use sophisticated methods in an attempt to avoid detection.
The program works with the government, industry and the community to use intelligence and surveillance to target illegal operators. This includes using drones to investigate large-scale dumping across Victoria.
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES IF YOU’RE CAUGHT?
Earlier this year EPA conducted a blitz on skip bin hire companies as they cracked down on the illegal receipt of waste that is too often dumped in creeks and parks to avoid paying the appropriate disposal fees.
The Victorian Government has committed $6.3 million over three years (2015–18) to support EPA’s Illegal Dumping Strikeforce program.
On-the-spot fines for littering or dumping range from $119 to $239 for small items to a maximum of $4000 if the matter is prosecuted in court.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?
Dob in an illegal dumper: Call the pollution hotline on 1300 372 842. It’s open 24 hours. Register for and use the EPA Interaction Portal to report illegal waste disposal.
You can also Report illegal rubbish removal to your local council. Officers for the Protection of the Local Environment (OPLEs) are based in some local councils across Victoria. They can help with illegal waste disposal reports.
Hire our Service: Alternatively, if you yourself have rubbish you need to remove, the crew at JUNK.com.au will help you, so you don’t have to dispose of it illegally.
At JUNK.com.au we believe in the responsible removal of all waste. We up-cycle and recycle wherever possible in an attempt to reduce landfill.
Whatever your rubbish removal needs, we’ve got you covered: from Green waste removal to Household rubbish removal.