Don’t skip the checks when getting rid of rubbish

A NEW video from Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) is helping Victorians to fight a widespread environmental hazard; the illegal dumping of skip bin waste.

Chris Webb from the EPA’s Illegal Waste Disposal Strikeforce said the animated video gave a simple tip on making sure that the skip bin taking away your waste goes to the right place.

“The tip to cutting out the dodgy operators is to ask the right questions before you hand over the money.

“Ask the skip bin company if they can provide documents or receipts that show your load of household garbage or renovation waste went to the right place; a properly licensed landfill or recycling
facility will give them paperwork whenever they drop off a load.

By seeing their receipts from past jobs and demanding a receipt for your own load, you can protect the environment and make sure that you or the taxpayer won’t be paying for an expensive clean up. Dealing with illegally dumped waste costs the
state government and local councils across Victoria more than $100 million a year.

“Too many skip bin loads are being dumped in the bush, parks, creeks, on farmland, former industrial sites and in rented warehouses,” Mr Webb said.

“The dodgy operators are grabbing an unfair advantage over legitimate skip bin hire businesses and leaving the community to pay for the clean up.

“EPA’s new online video is deliberately cheeky, and we encourage you to share it online to warn your friends and help to protect the environment.”

EPA also encourages skip bin customers to read online reviews when shopping around for skip bin hire, and to ask the business owner for proof that they are a member of a waste or industry association.

To see the video, head to epa.vic.gov.au/yourenvironment/waste/hiring-skip-bins.