TIDY TOWNS TIPS
LITTER AND WASTE MANAGEMENT
AWARD
Recognises a community’s achievementsin
litter prevention and resource recovery
initiatives.
‘All Western Australians have an
important role to play in litter prevention
by working together to achieve modified
littering behaviour and our common
vision of a litter-free Western Australia’.
Melvyn Hay, APM,
Chairman, Keep Australia Beautiful Council WA
It is now recognised that highly littered areas along with poorly maintained infrastructure,
attracts more litter, illegal dumping, anti-social behaviour and petty crime such as graffiti,
hooliganism and vandalism. The results and benefits that flow from taking positive action
against litter and illegal dumping can extend well beyond the immediate visual impact of litter.
This category assesses innovative methods and leadership in the provision of recycling and
disposal amenities, participation in community clean up days and education and awareness
programs.
Judges look for:
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Adequate, accessible, visible litter and recycling bins in high traffic areas,
commercial centres and public parks/areas.
Frequent and adequate collection of litter and recycling, followed by appropriate
disposal.
Dog prohibition or the provision of dog-litter bags and disposal facilities, in public
areas such as parks and beaches.
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Cigarette butt disposal facilities in commercial centres and public parks/areas.
Regular clean-up activities, including roadside clean-ups, by the community
and/or local government.
Litter-awareness signs, particularly at entries and exits to the community.
Adequate fencing or other devices to manage litter blow at waste transfer and
refuse facilities.
Integration of litter and waste management activities into a broader waste
management strategy.
Regular, competent community/regional litter audits to assist with preventative
and education measures.
Recovery and re-use of resources such as organics, green materials, glass,
paper, cardboard, aluminium, plastic, batteries, fluoro tubes and oil.
Innovative use of recovered resources, (e.g. compost in local government
services to the community).
Integration of resource recovery, recycling and waste management activities into
a broader waste management strategy.
Litter and recycling education and awareness programs, literature and/or signage
by local government, schools and/or community groups.
PROJECT IDEAS
 Do a self-assessment or litter audit for your community and determine the locations of litter
black spots. Once these have been identified, meet with the shire to look at possible
solutions, such as the appropriate placement of bins or the supply of larger or moveable
bins during peak use times, including festivals and holiday periods.
 Work with your shire to also: encourage landholders to use licensed landfill facilities instead
of private property; examine the suitability of the landfill’s opening times and fees to prevent
people from illegally dumping waste; and encourage verge collection and cigarette butt
disposal facilities around your town, if applicable.
 Organise community clean up days.
 Encourage creative ways to reuse waste items.
 Recycle scrap metal, drums, printer cartridges and mobile phones and accessories,
etcetera.
 Recycle car parts – The Autoparts Recyclers Association of Australia will help you find a
local dealer.
 Encourage composting and worm farm facilities.
 Get your local school involved in the Waste Wise program and/or Keep Australia Beautiful’s
Clean Schools initiative.
 Establish a community recycling directory and promote the waste minimize message: ‘reuse,
reduce, recycle, repair and rethink.’
 Encourage community members to become Litter Reporters and to Adopt a Spot for
coordinated cleanups in designated sites.
 Participate in National Butt Free Day or look for ideas on Keep Australia Beautiful (WA)’s Bin
Your Butt site, or this Melbourne website.
 Subscribe to Keep Australia Beautiful’s ‘Talking Rubbish’ e-zine for all the latest news on
waste management and litter prevention or email kabc@der.wa.gov.au.
JUDGE’S TIP
Be sure to seek advice from your shire about their waste management strategy, particularly
segregated areas for recyclables and toxic waste disposal systems at the tip and provision for
recycling depots. List their projects in your submission, particularly if your community has
provided input, and/or is collaborating with neighbouring communities.
Clean Up Australia Day and Keep Australia Beautiful Week are great catalysts for community
action. Resources are available.
1. Register at www.cleanup.org.au and get rubbish bags sent from that organization.
2. Register a one-off cleanup with Keep Australia Beautiful (KABWA) and receive bags
and gloves
OR
3. If you clean up the site regularly, register with the Adopt a Spot program and receive,
bags, gloves, tools and ongoing support.
CASE STUDY
The State Winner of Waste Management and Litter Prevention for 2014 was Toodyay. Toodyay,
Australia’s Tidiest Town for 2015, also won awards for litter prevention and waste management
nationally. You can read all about their projects here (from page 8).
LINKS
Keep Australia Beautiful (KAB) also has a number of litter prevention programs, backed by great
resources. See also the Litter Prevention Strategy for Western Australia. Please also see the
KAB National site for current statistical information on the national litter index and the branded
litter study. The Waste Authority’s website provides best practice advice on avoiding, reusing,
recycling, recovering and disposing of waste in Western Australia.
Littering cigarette butts now attracts a $200 fine.