27 June 2005

Inorganic Collection Springs Up Again

We may be experiencing a cold, wet winter, but the return next month of Manukau City Council’s annual inorganic rubbish collection means that residents can make an early start on their spring cleaning.

This year the collection runs from early July through to late October. Council’s Senior Policy Analyst, Patricia Facenfield, wants to remind residents of the importance of putting their rubbish out at the appropriate time.

“Look out for our blue information leaflet about ten days before collection in your area. The leaflet sets out the collection date for your street and details on what can be collected. It is important that people don’t put their rubbish out until the weekend before the collection to avoid health risks and to keep up Manukau’s image as a clean vibrant city,” says Ms Facenfield.

Rubbish should be stacked neatly on the berm outside residents’ homes, not on street corners or Council reserves.

Council contractors and compliance officers will be keeping Council reserves under surveillance and anyone caught dumping rubbish in these and any other roadside reserve will be prosecuted.

Ms Facenfield would like residents to act as the ‘eyes and ears’ of the community by calling Council’s twenty-four-hour Call Centre phone 262 5104 if they see anyone dumping rubbish in a park or reserve.

“Last year big improvements were made in illegal dumping in the once troublesome areas of Roscommon Road in central Manukau and the roadside reserve in Whitford Park Road adjacent to Whitford Golf Club. It would be great if we could see further improvements this year”, said Ms Facenfield.

Three separate collections will be made, including one for tyres, another for items such as metals that can be recycled and one for other inorganic items.

Last year Council collected 8,929 tonnes of rubbish, of this 643 tonnes of metal and 127 tonnes of tyres were recycled.

“Most people appreciate our free inorganic collections because it is an easy way to get rid of unwanted rubbish stockpiling in the backyard. However there is also a certain amount of responsibility that goes with the collection; keeping to the dates specified, encouraging your neighbours to do the same, and stacking rubbish safely outside your house,” says Ms Facenfield.

For more information on collection dates in your area please phone Council’s 24-four-hour Call Centre on 262 5104.

ENDS

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