Dumping green waste may seem like a harmless thing. It’s not like you’re dumping general household rubbish or unsafe waste, right? Well, you’d be wrong, green waste is quite hazardous to the environment. You may think you’re doing something rather innocent, and not dangerous, as it all comes from nature, to begin with. The problem is that there are a number of issues surrounding dumped green waste and we’ll get into that in a moment.
So we know it’s hazardous, but is dumping green waste illegal? Yes. Illegal dumping is seen as an offence across all of Australia. In Western Australia, dumping can be prosecuted under the Litter Act and the Western Australian Environmental Act. If caught there is a maximum penalty of $62,000 for individuals and $120,000 for businesses.
We understand that sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with all your green waste, especially after you’ve done some gardening or landscaping work. If you’re unsure what to do with it, we’ll go through some options and solutions to help you out.
Why is it illegal?
It may seem like plants, weeds and lawn clippings wouldn’t be as harmful as typical unwanted household items and chemical waste. But, as it turns out there are some excellent reasons, besides a whopping fine, why you shouldn’t be dumping your garden waste. We’ll go through that now.
Harmful to the environment
Green waste is a major contributor to methane gas pollution in Australia and the rest of the world. Methane is a greenhouse gas that gets trapped within our atmosphere resulting in global warming.
Not only is it bad for the environment on a climate level, but it’s also dangerous to the local ecosystem. Australia has a very unique ecosystem that can be harmed very easily by foreign weeds and plants. Weeds are especially bad, as they don’t even need to be alive to spread new growth. Lawn clippings too, contain a lot of nutrients and minerals that are good for your backyard, but not so good for the local water stream. When it rains, any loose objects such as lawn clippings will get drained into the nearest water stream poisoning fish and plants.
Fire risk
The green waste consists of a number of things that are biodegradable, lawn clippings, weeds, branches, leaves etc. Biodegradation is a form of rotting, and when plants rot, they heat up causing a potential fire hazard. This is a major safety concern, as bushfires can be devastating, especially in dry seasons.
Causes weed outbreaks
Even if a weed is dead, there is still the potential of it spreading seed and growing. Introducing invasive weeds into native Australian bush can be devastating for both the animals and plants.
Creates a mess
Dumped rubbish just looks bad, there’s no denying it. Seeing illegally dumped material scattered throughout a beautiful native bush can be a ghastly sight. So do the right thing and dispose of your waste material the correct way.
Green Waste Disposal Options
It isn’t difficult to correctly dispose of green waste. It may just take a few extra steps if your green bin is full.
Compost and mulch
If you have a decently large property, dedicate a spot for compost. This will benefit you, your garden and the environment. Compost contains rich nutrients and is a great source of free fertiliser for your garden, allowing you to grow many different plants, vegetables and fruits!
Use your green bins
The local council will have scheduled skip bins pickup. This is the easiest method for disposing of green waste in Perth. But sometimes it isn’t enough, especially after large gardening and landscaping projects. If this is the case, we think the next option is a convenient choice for you.
Hire a Skip Bin Service
Now you know that dumping green waste is illegal, but you still need to clear out your green waste. Opt for a skip bin hire service! Here at Kwik Skips, we offer a cost-efficient and convenient solution, with our kerbside collection system. By choosing us you’ll be saving money and disposing of your waste removal responsibly.
The green waste we collect doesn’t contribute to any pollution. We deliver it to facilities that turn it into high-quality compost for further use.
By choosing a skip bin hire in Perth like us, you’re not only disposing of green waste responsibly, but you’re recycling! All your waste gets put to good use. Our wide range of products and services will solve any of your green waste problems. Get in touch with us through our website, by email, or by phone on (08) 9528 2272.
