Proposal for 'pay-as-you-throw' bins riles Aussies
It's been touted a way to reduce waste, but Aussies in one state have slammed the idea.
A new proposal to radically overhaul how one Aussie state's bins are collected has been met with mixed reaction from residents, with people branding the idea as "rubbish" and "unfair on families".
Flagged as part of a government review into curb-side collection, the change put forward would mean South Australians would be charged for every kilogram of rubbish they dispose of in a bid to reduce waste, with the view that, the less people throw away, the less they pay on council rates.
Branded "the nappy tax" by less than impressed locals, the idea would see people who reduce their wastage pay less, but those — including families, share houses and offices — who collectively chuck more, would be charged additional fees, Nine News reported.
While SA Premier Peter Malinauskas said he "doesn't think there should be a change on council's obligations to provide their current services", the senior public servant behind Green Industries SA said the "option was on the table" and "one of many options" being explored.
Though, ultimately, any changes to bin collection would have to be approved by local councils. Laws introduced by the opposition however could still block the council's options.
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Asked their view on the idea, many SA residents were in doubt. Some said "we already pay enough fees on government services". Online, people seemed to have the same concern, arguing the proposal would be extremely difficult to police.
"Yeah, this would not have worked," one man said. "People constantly putting extra rubbish in my bins because theirs are full. I'm not paying for that."
"If that were to come through.. Here comes the illegal dumping! Silly idea," a woman wrote.
"We already pay for rubbish removal in our council rates," another said. "What if my neighbour is dumping his s**t in my bin? Does it mean I am paying for him too?" wrote a fourth.
Local council's struggle with waste levels
Around the country, councils have long been battling with ways to reduce soaring levels of household rubbish, with ideas put forward having various levels of success.
In Sydney's Inner West, garbage bins are now being collected fortnightly — and not weekly — as part of changes to the council’s waste strategy.
Now in its fourth week, locals have been left with rubbish, including nappies, festering in the hot sun, with the introduction of the FOGO (food organics and garden organics) fortnightly bins.
The mayor at the centre of the system rollout — that locals have branded "rushed" and "poorly communicated" — says he has no intention of scrapping the new collection schedule.
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