That's how much WCC spends on removal of litter and illegally dumped rubbish
every year! And $400 is the fine for littering.
Why is litter a problem?
It gives a place a bad image
Makes people feel unsafe
Reduces property values
Can be a hazard - broken glass
Health issues from food waste and associated vermin
Smells
Blocks stormwater drains
Ends up in the sea
So what's being done about it?
WCC is a member of the regional anti-litter group, Be A Tidy Kiwi (BATK), set
up to change peoples' behaviour and attitudes towards littering, by pooling
resources and expertise from all the members.
Representatives from all the councils in the Auckland region, and from the
Auckland Regional Council are members of BATK
A new litter campaign has been launched to publicise the brand and to get the
message across that littering is not acceptable
BATK is represented in the Auckland Santa Parade
Radio adverts
Posters
That's regionally, but what about in Waitakere?
The Waste Minimisation Learning Centre at the Refuse Station runs half-day
courses for schools in the Waitakere, in which the consequences of littering are
discussed in detail. Children are introduced to BATK and encouraged to sign a
pledge committing to keeping their school and community litter-free.
Council's Town Centre Environmental Workers will be giving away freebies when
they see someone use a litter bin to encourage responsible disposal of litter.
Come On: Be a Tidy Kiwi