Charitable recyclers can now apply for a rebate to help recover some of the cost of disposing unusable donations that have been dumped at charitable clothing bins.
Environment Minister Albert Jacob said the Charitable Recyclers Rebate program would provide an estimated $300,000 annually to eligible charitable recyclers to meet the cost of the landfill levy.
Mr Jacob said the program recognised the substantial costs charities incurred to dispose of household goods that could not be reused or recycled.
"Charitable recyclers provide an essential community service to West Australians in need, however they are often left with an unsightly and expensive problem," he said.
"Many unusable and unrecyclable items are dropped off at clothing recycling bins with good intentions, however a lot of waste dumped illegally at these locations needs to be removed.
"This waste has the potential to cause health hazards and environmental harm, and also attracts antisocial or low-level crime activities. It also costs the charity $60 a tonne to take to a landfill site, and this is money they could spend on helping needy people."
The rebate program is the first of two Liberal National Government initiatives to tackle illegal dumping at charitable recyclers.
The Charitable Recyclers Dumping Reduction Program will be launched later this year. This program will help fund charitable recyclers to implement measures such as improved lighting, fencing and educational material, to reduce illegal dumping of unusable items at bins and premises.
Guidelines and application forms for the landfill levy rebate are available at http://www.wasteauthority.wa.gov.au. Applications will be assessed quarterly, with the first round closing at 5pm on July 28, 2016.
Fact File
Householders can find out how to safely dispose of unwanted household goods, including electrical goods, whitegoods and furniture, through the website http://giv.org.au Illegal dumping carries a maximum fine of $62,500 for individuals and $125,000 for corporations
Illegal dumping should be reported to the Department of Environment Regulation's 24-hour pollution watch hotline on 1300 784 782
Minister's office - 6552 5800
