Arabic version: خدمة نفايات في تسمانيا تطبق نظام أربع مخالفات للحاويات

According to ABC News, Dulverton Waste Management has introduced a four-strikes system for households that repeatedly contaminate food organics and garden organics (FOGO) and recycling bins across north-west Tasmania.

The system began in July after FOGO bins had been available across the region for at least a year. Residents who repeatedly put incorrect items in their bins may have collections suspended. DWM said it has found needles, laptops, cans, garden tools and incorrectly bagged waste in FOGO or recycling bins.

For the first two strikes, staff attach tags explaining the problem. At a third strike, residents and property owners receive new bin-guide magnets and a letter. Before a fourth strike results in action, DWM will speak with the household and check whether a recent property purchase, language barrier or disability has contributed to the issue. Households that do not improve will miss several collections and could remain disconnected for the rest of the year.

DWM chief executive Veronica Schilling said contaminated loads create both financial and safety risks. Household batteries have exploded and caused fires in company trucks, she said. The region spent $700,000 sending contaminated truckloads to landfill in the last financial year, while a Latrobe Council report said contaminated FOGO can cost an additional $720 per truckload, or $130 per tonne, when it cannot be recovered.

DWM, which operates Tasmania’s largest composting facility, said about 90 per cent of households had been sorting waste correctly over the past year. It estimated that 4 per cent were deliberately using bins incorrectly. Burnie Mayor Teeny Brumby said education would be important, while supporting penalties to reduce costs for ratepayers.