The Nasinu Town Council has called on residents to take more responsibility in properly disposing their household waste.
According to the council’s Special Administrators chairperson, Jone Tuiono, careless waste disposal practices, such as leaving rubbish inappropriately by the roadside, created significant challenges for garbage collectors.
He highlighted that in about 90 per cent of the cases, garbage was placed in an improper manner, often in bags and bins without tight lids, leading to spillage and attracting stray animals.
“Waste such as food scraps is not separated, which attracts strays to the garbage,” Mr Tuiono explained.
“The bags are often torn, causing delays as more time is spent cleaning up the area.
“For areas provided with skip bins, the council requests that please do not keep disposing rubbish when these bins are full or removed for transfer and cleaning.
“It adds to illegal dumping and may warrant a fixed penalty.”
The delays it causes affect the efficiency of the service delivery, as the time spent raking and clearing the scattered waste impacts collection schedules.
He also mentioned that using open garbage trucks for solid waste collection presents its own set of risks.
However, the council works continuously to minimise these risks and ensure the service is provided with minimal negative impact to ratepayers.
“NTC pleads with its valued ratepayers as well its informal dwellers to please dispose off the respective solid waste on the scheduled time, separate solid waste accordingly, refrain from illegal dumping and dispose of your rubbish in a proper manner.”
Additionally, burning rubbish in skip bins or disposing of dead animals was strictly prohibited.
Mr Tuiono said the council team has visited wards to educate residents about proper waste disposal and the importance of maintaining a clean environment but acknowledged there was still much work to be done.
“The council encourages all stakeholders and media partners to collaborate in keeping our nation clean, healthy, and flourishing.”
