Whitsunday Regional Council is encouraging the community to ‘Be Wheelie Smart’ as part of a new campaign aimed at educating residents about the do’s and don’ts of filling their wheelie bins.
Mayor Andrew Willcox said that the campaign, which is being delivered by Council in partnership with contractors Cleanaway and JJ Richards, is focussed on ensuring that residents enjoy access to an efficient kerbside waste collection service.
“There are three basic principles that we ask our residents to follow including knowing what you can put in your bin, ensuring your wheelie bin is not overflowing with rubbish and knowing your wheelie bin collection day,” Cr Willcox said.
“Recently we’ve had an increased amount of residents whose bins have been overflowing or above the maximum weight of 70kg and also bins which have been contaminated with hazardous or industrial waste,” he said.
“In many instances the lids don’t close and loose litter ends up on the roadside which is unsightly and acts as a feeding point for birds and vermin.
“Council’s transfer stations and landfills accept green waste free of charge and the transfer stations also accept recyclables.
Residents are encouraged to follow these simple guidelines to ensure your wheelie bin is collected:
• Ensure your wheelie-bin is not overflowing and does not contain hazardous or industrial waste;
• Place your wheelie-bin out the night before it is due to be collected or before 6:00am on the morning of collection;
• Place wheelie-bin as close to the edge of the road as possible facing the road;
• Ensure your wheelie-bin is clear of trees and obstructions including ?re hydrants, power poles and parked vehicles;
• Put your wheelie-bin back on your property after it has been emptied;
• Please do not leave your wheelie bin on the kerbside before or after collection for more than 24 hours; and
• Please do not leave additional bags or boxes placed on the kerbside next to your bin – these won’t be collected.
For further information about wheelie bin care, please visit Council's website.