Charitable recyclers who have to dispose of materials dumped illegally at their sites can recover waste levy costs under a Western Australian State Government initiative. Launched in 2016, the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation’s (DWER) Charitable Recyclers Rebate program provides up to $250,000 in funding each year. It helps eligible charitable recyclers to reduce the substantial costs incurred when disposing of items illegally dumped at premises that cannot be reused or recycled.
“By reducing the waste we send to landfill, we can generate significant economic opportunities for Western Australians – recycling 10,000 tonnes of waste creates three times more jobs than sending the same amount of waste to landfill.” Western Australian Environment Minister Stephen Dawson commented “The scourge of illegal dumping is a serious issue for everyone in our community and one the McGowan Government takes very seriously. It is inexcusable for any person to illegally dump waste – a practice that can impact people’s health and the environment and impose significant clean-up costs – and to commit such an offence at a charity bin or charity premises is even more unacceptable”

Minister Dawson explained that to date, the program has provided more than $537,000 to eligible operations in Western Australia, with the next claim period opening on July 1, 2018. The Minister added that in addition to the rebate, the program’s complementary initiative – the Charitable Recyclers Dumping Reduction Program – funds the implementation of improved site practices, security and educational material at eligible charitable recycling bin locations, further reducing illegal dumping in these areas. The programs are supplemented by DWER’s Illegal Dumping Team which patrols dumping hotspots and utilises covert electronic surveillance to identify offenders.
“Charitable recyclers provide an essential community service to those in need and are a shining example of recycling in action, yet are often left with the unsightly and expensive problem of illegal dumping at their sites. Most people across the State do the right thing when donating items; however, the thoughtless and selfish actions of those few that do the wrong thing are taking a significant toll on charitable recyclers.” Minister Dawson commented “Illegal dumping at charitable premises ultimately takes away vital funds from those in need, and instead directs them towards clean-up costs – simply because some refuse to do the right thing with their waste. This is an issue that is being addressed as a priority, and I am confident initiatives like the Charitable Recyclers Rebate and the Charitable Recyclers Dumping Reduction Program will continue to assist in paving the way forward for change on this issue.”