Providing greater flexibility for households and working to reduce illegally dumped rubbish are the key aims of changes to Kingston Council's hard rubbish collection service.
The free hard waste collections provide an opportunity for Kingston's residents to dispose of e-waste, white goods, furniture and mattresses, among other approved household items.
Council has recently endorsed changes to the hard waste collection service. Commencing from July 2023. The hard rubbish collection will move to a fully "on-demand" service, with owners and tenants on Kingston's waste service able to book two pick-ups each year on the dates and at the times that suit them.
Traditionally Kingston has had one collection per year during spring (this year's collection has just been completed), however the community has expressed a clear preference for more flexibility.
Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said illegally dumped rubbish is a major ongoing issue across the city.
"While most people do the right thing, we are seeing an increase in illegally dumped rubbish, with the cost to ratepayers now well in excess of $200,000 annually," Cr Staikos said.
"Three alarming criminal cases of 13, 30 and then 97 tyres being dumped recently highlights what we are dealing with and why we are looking to make changes.
"While the hard waste disposal and recycling guidelines won't change, we believe that expanding the service to two on-demand collections per year and introducing flexibility will reduce instances of illegal dumping across Kingston. In turn less waste will be sent to landfills and recycling will increase.
"The change to the hard waste service is part of significant work being done around waste, recycling and resource recovery, with a view to improving sustainability and promoting better environmental outcomes," Cr Staikos said.
People found guilty of dumping rubbish face fines of over $6,000, and Kingston Council actively investigates dumped rubbish to identify its origin. We have CCTV cameras that are moved around key dumping hot spots in industrial areas in our Green Wedge and have caught illegal dumpers.
If you spot someone dumping rubbish please note down as much detail as possible and consider taking photos, as the evidence will assist officers in their investigations and potential prosecutions. You can make a report online at kingston.vic.gov.au or phone 1300 653 356.
"Kingston Council still has a lot more work to do in the recycling and resource recovery space, with the roll out of the fourth purple-lidded glass recycling bin by 2027, and the need for the Food Organics Garden Organics (FOGO) green-lidded bin to roll out to thousands more homes across the city. Council is committed to doing this work in partnership with the community," Cr Staikos said.
