Three strikes proposed for contaminated rubbish
A three-strike rule is being proposed for people who continue to place non-recyclable or contaminated waste in their yellow bins.
The Grey District Council has a draft waste bylaw and policy open for submissions until 1 August.
The current policy includes a warning system, but the new draft goes further, introducing a traffic light system.
Under the draft Waste Management Services Policy, if three warnings are ignored, Council will stop collecting recycling (yellow bin and glass crate) for a period of three months. Refuse bins will continue to be collected, provided they are compliant.
Another significant proposed change is the introduction of registration for waste collection operators and private waste management facilities, in the draft Waste Management and Minimisation bylaw.. This will require operators to register with Council, pay an annual fee, and complete annual reporting.
The purpose of this is to enable Council to provide a district-wide view of waste disposal and track progress against the West Coast Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan.
The draft Waste Management Services Policy also clearly outlines eligibility criteria for receiving yellow and red bins and crates.
Assets and Infrastructure Manager Alicia Paulsen said Council staff had already engaged with known waste collectors and disposal facility operators, and would continue to work with them.
The proposed waste bylaw was an important step for measuring the district’s waste, she said.
“We welcome the input from the community and the industry to ensure we are collectively working toward achieving our goals in the Regional Waste Management and Minimisation Plan. This is an important step in tracking our progress.”
Alongside the draft Waste Management and Minimisation Bylaw 2026 sits the draft Waste Management Services Policy. This policy has been reviewed in parallel, and expanded to include waste facilities, prohibited items, and hazardous waste.
You can make a submission at Have Your Say Grey District Council, or pick up submission forms from Council offices.
