Radical plans to fine people $200 for putting the wrong rubbish in their recycling and green waste bins
- Three-strikes policy targeting Adelaide residents and businesses put forward
- Controversial scheme would see fines of up to $187.50 for third-time offenders
- Contaminating your waste for the first time would earn you an ‘education letter’
- A caution and a fine would follow – with bin trucks using cameras to enforce law
Radical plans have been put forward to fine Australians $200 for putting the wrong rubbish in their bins.
The proposals would see a three-strikes policy threaten Adelaide residents and businesses with a fine of up to $187.50 for using the wrong recycling or green waste bin.
The controversial new scheme would involve new council by-laws, cameras on bin trucks and ‘education letters’ for first-time offenders.
Radical plans to fine people $200 for putting the wrong rubbish in their bins have been put forward to seven Australian councils (stock image)
East Waste, who collect the bins in the seven areas, has already sent the plans to Prospect Council in the city’s inner-east.
The waste management company also released an audit alongside the letter showing contamination rates in the council’s bins was at 26 per cent.
Residents across the city’s southern and eastern suburbs would be at risk of copping the fines if the plans are implemented, The Adelaide Advertiser reported.
Those caught contaminating their bins on the first occasion would be given a letter educating them about correct practice, then a caution and finally a fine.
The councils affected under the potential plans would be Campbelltown, Walkerville, Burnside, Mitcham, Norwood, Payneham, St Peters and Adelaide Hills.
General manager Rob Gregory said they were the best way to change ratepayers’ behaviour.
‘The reality is a punitive measure, or at least the threat of a punitive measure, is required in order to adjust the behaviours of recalcitrant offenders,’ he said.
‘Our understanding is councils have the authority to issue expiation notices for contaminated waste up to a maximum of $187.50.’
Those caught contaminating their bins on the first occasion would be given a letter educating them about correct practice, then a caution and finally a fine (South Australia recycling facility pictured)
Burnside mayor Anne Monceaux described the plans as drastic and said education about how to use bins was the priority.
It comes after an Adelaide councillor proposed replacing recycling bins in the city with transparent bins in a bid to change behaviour.
The Adelaide City Council is also in the midst of a Waste Management Action Plan which set the target of recycling 60 per cent of kerbside waste by 2020.
The other phase of the plan is to reduce the total number of kerbside bins by 10 per cent by 2020.
‘Actions have been developed for each strategy, with particular focus on increasing participation in Council’s kerbside recycling service,’ a council statement read.
It comes after an Adelaide councillor proposed replacing recycling bins in the city with transparent bins in a bid to change behaviour