There are many things you can do which will prevent you from littering your local area and affecting your local waterways.
Chemicals
Hazardous household chemicals should be properly disposed of through a Hazardous Waste Transfer Centre. For more information ring the Department of Environment on 6364 6500.
Detergents
Wash your car on your lawn or nature strip and avoid strong detergents as these can damage the grass. Most commercial carwashes use recycled water.
Cigarette butts
Use the special bins for cigarette butts around local area and at public transport stops. Contact the manager of the building in which you work about installing and emptying butt bins outside the building. Carrying a personal ashtray is a good way of avoiding littering when bins are not available.
Junk mail
Advertising material must be distributed according to the law. At home, all mail deliveries should be left either under the door or in a letterbox. If your letterbox has a 'no junk mail' label (or equivalent), junk mail may not be placed in it. Unwanted advertising material should be reported to the Distributions Standards Board (1800 676 136).
Dog Poo
It is your responsibility as the owner to collect those little messages your dog leaves behind when you go for a walk. It is not only unsightly but really unpleasant for those who come after you. Many councils have local laws in place regarding dog poo on their streets and in their parks. Some provide special bags and bins in their parks.
Posting bills
Councils can spend a lot on cleaning up after illegal posted bills which include flyers and advertising material.
It is illegal to post bills without the permission of the property owner under the Litter Act 1979. Offenders, including those who instruct others to put up bills illegally, can be fined.
Plastic Bags
Plastic shopping bags cannot be recycled via domestic recycling collections but they can be reused.
Community Newspapers
Community Newspapers must be distributed according to the law. Some councils have allowed Community Newspapers to be delivered by warping and rolling them on to residential properties. If you do not wish to receive your newspaper please call 6330 9175 or 63309172 or email donotdeliver@communitynews.com.au
