A SIXTY-FIVE-year-old resident of Wailea St, Vatuwaqa has taken a stand against illegal rubbish dumping, volunteering with Trashboom Pacific to educate residents and help keep the community clean.
Lavenia Volaukitoga said a group of nine women had been working together to discourage residents from dumping rubbish in the creek and surrounding areas.
“Our group has nine women, and we try and educate the residents here not to throw rubbish around or in the creek,” she said.
The group also photographs people dumping rubbish and sends the evidence to Trashboom Pacific for further action.
Ms Volaukitoga said a recent sewer line leak prevented Trashboom Pacific workers from accessing the trashboom and removing accumulated waste.
“Because of the sewer line leak, workers from Trashboom Pacific were not able to pick the rubbish and clean the trashboom.”
She said workers had resumed cleaning the trashboom, but she was saddened by what they were finding.
“The waste includes plastic bottles, cans, kitchen waste, diapers, household rubbish and dangerous items such as needles.
“I just wonder why people can’t throw them in waste bins provided by the council?”
Ms Volaukitoga welcomed the $200 spot fine for littering and hoped it would deter offenders.
“I am so happy that the $200 spot fine has been put in place and I hope this will solve this rubbish problem.
“I feel sorry for the workers from Trashboom Pacific who are going into the creek to pick up rubbish thrown by some irresponsible people of this community.”
