RESPECT has gone out the window according to one local Wonthaggi resident appalled at the growing amount of rubbish dumped in the Wonthaggi cemetery.
Paint cans, a table, a pushbike and even a canoe stolen from the Wonthaggi Transfer Station overnight have been dumped into the cemetery under the cover of darkness.
Outside the gates a television set, video player and a pedestal fan also discarded most likely dumped because of State Government restrictions on e-waste into landfill.
Denise from Wonthaggi said it gets to the point where there is no respect anymore.
“It could be the same person or groups of people,” she said.
“It’s disappointing.”
Managing Director of Wonthaggi Recyclers and waste contractor for Bass Coast Shire Adam Hill said the Wonthaggi Transfer Station is constantly being broken into.
“It happens most nights,” Mr Hill said.
“The intruders take e-waste, paint, couches, mattresses, steel products and car batteries.
“Often these items are left in the cemetery,” said Mr Hill.
“We clean up what is visible almost on a daily basis.”
Bass Coast Shire has advised many items can be recycled at council waste facilities including batteries, cardboard, whitegoods and scrap metal all free of charge.
One disgruntled resident claimed a metal car wheel was recently rejected for recycling.
“These items are acceptable at the Transfer Station,” said Mr Hill.
“We accept steel and alloy wheels free of charge.
“If a tyre is still on the rim, then an additional charge is applied due to the cost associated with recycling the tyre.”
Recyclables accepted free of charge at the Bass Coast Waste Transfer Stations include most types of glass including glass packaging, glass bottles and jars but not window glass or glass table tops due to the plastic laminate.
Co-mingled recycling such as plastic bottles, aluminium cans, steel cans and glass bottles and jars, newspaper, office paper and cardboard are all accepted if loose and not bagged, and the packaging and strapping has been removed.
Scrap metal such as white goods, aluminium, steel, barbed wire fencing, steel poles, rods, bicycles, iron sheets, barbecues, frying pans, and cooking pots with the plastic handles removed are readily accepted.
Light globes, compact fluorescent light globes and light tubes, batteries, household batteries, and vehicle batteries can also be recycled.
Landfill waste and green waste loads are charged by volume.
Loads larger than a tandem trailer are not accepted at Bass Coast Transfer Stations except for Grantville Transfer Station and Landfill.
Asbestos may also be accepted under special circumstances at Grantville.
No building waste, concrete, carpet, or timber is accepted at Cowes.
E-waste is excluded from landfill including computers, TV’s, appliances and landline phones, domestic landfill charges apply to CD’s, DVD’s, and videos.
Items with a plug, cord or battery that are not accepted as scrap metal or free mobile phone recycling may be accepted by manufacturers or retailers if they provide an end-of-life recycling solution for their products.
Garden waste and plants that can be mulched are accepted at all Bass Coast Waste Transfer Stations and mattresses are accepted with a disposal fee.
Lawnmowers are accepted for free, but any petrol or oil must be removed, and charges may apply for non-metal parts of the mower such as the catcher.
Hot water systems are accepted free, but fees apply to heat pump hot water systems, refrigerators, freezers, and air conditioners because of the need for them to be de-gassed before recycling.
Metal tools and car parts are free, but charges may apply for the non-metal parts.
Motor oil can be disposed of without charge but there is a limit of twenty litres per visit.
Empty paint tins with the lids off and scraped clean are also free.
Domestic landfill charges apply to plastic plant pots so it may be worth checking with local nurseries to see if they allow empty plant pots to be returned.
Small appliances mostly metal are free including microwave ovens, benchtop cookers, toasters, and toasted sandwich makers.
A number of commercial outlets will accept photocopier and printer toner cartridges.
Rooftop solar panels are not accepted for recycling.
Bass Coast Shire has four waste facilities at Cowes, Grantville, Wonthaggi and Inverloch.
If unsure about what can be recycled give the Bass Coast Waste Services team a call on 1300 BCOAST (226 278) or send an email to basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au
For opening times and more information on recycling at Bass Coast Transfer Stations go to basscoast.vic.gov.au/services/waste-rubbish/waste-facilities.