From ABC, 2 Mar. 08
CLEAN UP AUSTRALIA DAY TARGETS 6,000 SITES
Plastic rubbish will be a major focus for the thousands of volunteers taking part in Clean Up Australia Day today.
More than 6,000 sites have been registered nationally.
Ian Kiernan from Clean Up Australia Day says plastic is a huge problem when it comes to litter, and the Federal Government should look at deposit legislation like that used in South Australia.
"Because we know that it works down there, the recycling rates in South Australia are twice that of other states and that clearly underlines to us that that deposit legislation is working," he said.
Mr Kiernan says cigarette butts were the most found item last year.
"If only the cigarette smokers would take responsibility for their butts, we could get rid of the most common item," he said.
"But we can't seem to get to them.
"As well as that, there's a lot more plastic out there. Plastic bags, beverage containers particularly."
In Victoria, volunteers will work on 1,100 sites, including the Flemington Community centre, Sandridge Beach, and St Kilda Beach.
From ABC, 2 Mar. 08
AUSTRALIANS CLEAN UP 7,000 TONNES OF RUBBISH
The organisers of Clean Up Australia Day say it is a good sign that the total amount of rubbish collected this year is down compared to last year.
More than 7,000 tonnes of rubbish has been collected nationally today, with drink bottles and cans making up one third of the total.
The chairman of Clean Up Australia, Ian Kiernan, says while the amount of drink containers is worrying, the overall level of rubbish is declining.
"The amount of rubbish collected on this, the 19th Clean Up Australia Day, was down on last year by about 3 per cent," he said.
"That's good, because it means that the benefits of previous clean-ups are still being felt, and that the community is looking to look after the environment, on a continuing basis."
Mr Kiernan says a national recycling deposit scheme, like the one operating in South Australia, could address the problem.
"Beverage containers are a major, major problem, in all their forms - aluminium, glass, plastic, and steel," he said.
"If you look at the South Australian example, you're not looking at a bit of rubbish by the beach or the side of the road, you're looking at a bit of gleaming cash, and it's gone in an instant."
Federal Environment Minister Peter Garrett says he is willing to discuss the idea of a national deposit scheme with the States.
"I think there is some merit in looking closely at them," he said.
"It's very clear that some states believe it is a positive way of approaching the problems of litter.
"But at the same time, I want to make sure we speak with all states, to evaluate those sorts of issues in a very careful and considered way."
"The amount of rubbish collected on this, the 19th Clean Up Australia Day, was down on last year by about 3 per cent,"
I've found that picking up someone elses rubbish just after they dropped it, without making any comment or gesture of any kind, does bemuse people. Not sure if it does any good though.Unfortunately people who litter take advantage of the shrinking army of those who not only do the right thing but also wipe the bums of others.
What I noticed, it doesn’t get any better with passing time it gets worse.
On top of that now when I see something not right I am not too happy to reprimand, or even make comment.
I saw people ignored, kicked, punched spat on, just because asked politely to pick up something.
Nowadays offenders are so blatant that I just try to look the other way so I don’t get upset.
What I would like to happen is that CCTV is more used to pick those who accidentally drop something and don’t pick it up.
Offenders who are caught littering, even flicking the cigarette butt should be fingerprinted and taken saliva sample and pay for the costs necessary to process data, storage and few tests on butts picked up for example during Australia cleanup day.
Singapore doesn’t have chewing gum problem that we have, wander why?
Offenders who are caught littering, even flicking the cigarette butt should be fingerprinted and taken saliva sample and pay for the costs necessary to process data, storage and few tests on butts picked up for example during Australia cleanup day.
Lets just tax smokers again and use the money for cleaning up.
I've found that picking up someone elses rubbish just after they dropped it, without making any comment or gesture of any kind, does bemuse people. Not sure if it does any good though.
I pickup rubbish because I probably left rubbish in the past and I'm doing the reverse now.
[size=+1]"DO NOT LEAVE RUBBISH"[/size]
Like everything it costs money to have inspectors backed up by police enforcing the Law. A $200 on the spot fine should be enough and if it's not paid, a $400 court fine and $200 costs.Nice bump, I forgot about this thread.
Did anything change for the better in your area?
I my area more and more rubbish: bags, bottles, and packages from fast food cigarettes, milk, drinks, and juices.
I think that recycling levy on all the packages would be the way to go, it would definitely make it easier for me to become casual garbage collector.
Fines would be great too, heavy fines well above severity of the offence.
We will never have lashes, so financial lashes have to do, , well dream on.
For some reason I am not too keen on picking up somebody else’s rubbish.
If this campaign was supported by super heavy fines and strict policing of Keep Australia Beautiful idea I would be happy to give a hand.
It gets to the point that person caught littering answered with green from ear to ear, that he just makes Australia ready for next cleanup.
Yes I love the way they "involve" the kids, make them feel guilty and send them out to pick up the filthy rubbish left by morons.
Clean up Australia Day, another **** idea with flawed logic by greenies I presume.
Yes it should be Clean Up Australia every Day.
It is through education by parents and teachers of our rebellious youths -- that a good habit can be perpetuated.
A visual reminder of where floating plastics end up after being washed from the street down the stormwater drain and into the creeks, rivers and oceans.
Please pick up a plastic bottle today and place it in a recycling (or any) bin.There is no shame in it.
We all pick up our own rubbish but we pay enough taxes for the authorities to do the rest
no way would I allow my kids to do the work of the pigs that litter, it dangerous, filthy, degrading and just plain wrong.
Please pick up a plastic bottle today and place it in a recycling (or any) bin.There is no shame in it.
I don’t have problem with picking up rubbish, but I see it as loosing battle and unless it is backed up by heavy handed tactics to force change for the better, I’ll pick up rubbish sporadically and selectively only.
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