Environment

Council throwouts

Environment

Posted by: april789

1st May 2013 12:03pm

Why is Council stopping them?
Where I live in a Mountainous area in NSW the Council have decide to stop the local council throwout. While I agree it looks messy I have saved so much money by picking up things from these throwouts. A computer, dryer, TV etc - especially for young people and singles it is a great money saver adn if you live near a wealthy street often people just put goods in good working order out because they are out of date.

It helps stop filling up landfil and is a great recycling initiative.

Do you agree with councils stopping these because they look messy?

What are the solutions - possibly giving people only a week to put their stuff out rather than a month?

Comments 4

s
  • 13th Oct 2014 12:22pm

Rockdale council has 4 throw outs a year.
And we have a man who comes around and takes a part out of the back of the old TV's and it ends up in 2 pieces so it does get messy.

Another council I have heard has stopped and you have to call them twice a year if you want to have a throw out.

Most people place the items out too early the council only recommends placing it out 2 days earlier at the most.

What makes it messy is people going through the items and making a mess.
And also I have heard that some councils just leave the throw out for up to 2 weeks before they pick it up and therefore it gets messy due to the climate and people.

I don't agree that the council should stop them just pick up when they say they will and people put out the waste the day before anyone agree?

jjdrer
  • 29th Aug 2013 05:29pm

In the area I used to live in, we had one hard rubbish collection a year. We had restrictions re what we were allowed to put on - on the weekend prior to collection.
People drive around the streets looking for things they can salvage. I don't mind that provided they don't cause dangerous situations or scatter stuff across the footapth where people walk or onto the road. The schedule was that one vehicle came around specificially collect electrical goods. Somebody came around first (illegally) with a company name on it so we thought it was legitimate. I saw it happen across the road from one event but didn't think to remember the name on it or other details of the vehicle. The problem was that they were smashing open TVs, Computer Monitors etc. to get the electronics out of them - there was glass all over the footpaths, nature strips and roads.
I reported it to our local council who said the contractors employed to do the job had already complained that they were finding items already smashed.
People can check on the internet via google when and where the collections are. They drive around in trucks and various sizes and types of vehicles, some towing hire trailers. Mind you I have seen brand new things put out that were given as gifts but not wanted, and some other things in very good condition.
My thought was did they offer the things to anybody or a charity first. Mind you, some chariites are becoming very choosy what they will accept, even perfect - not a mark on it - furniture and other goods. I know they don't accept electrical goods for safety and the laws applicable. Surely some of them have qualified electricians who would volunteer to test and tag the goods if asked. One charity I asked had a large volunteer "base" but admitted they had never asked their "members" if any of them had the necessary qualifications, equipment to do it with, and the legally required tags to attach.

april789
  • 6th May 2013 01:10pm

Hi

Thank you for your reply.

I think it is such a nice idea that when people no longer want things they just put them out for other people to have - often it is because they have just bought more uptodate goods.

I have had a field day too - I hope the Council changes its mind on this one!

Anonymous
  • 6th May 2013 10:37am

I dont agree that it should be stopped because i'm having a field day. Being new to the country i find it awesome as i have picked up beautiful pieces of furniture and i intend keeping it for a good few years. It is a huge help and I am grateful for the items that i have picked up thus far.

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