Not in our brick yard

Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan.

COMMUNITIES across regional NSW are being urged to help reduce dangerous greenhouse gas emissions through greater recycling and take action to stop illegal rubbish dumping as part of the Clean Up Australia Day campaign.

Clean Up Australia Chairman Ian Kiernan said parks and waterfronts in NSW were found to be the most polluted sites on Clean Up Australia Day last year. The 2006 Rubbish Report also found cigarette butts were the most common rubbish item found. "It is disappointing to see a pattern emerging of cigarette butts being dumped in increasingly larger numbers," Mr Kiernan said. "Cigarette butts contain a cocktail of toxins that leach into the environment and cause widespread damage." He also warned of a growing problem of illegal dumping across regional NSW. "Last year, 110 tonnes of rubbish was collected in Queens Lake National Park (south of Port Macquarie), which is alarming," he said. "Old cars, tyres, mattresses, fridges as well as hazardous waste was removed, but it indicates a growing problem of illegal dumping and communities across regional NSW need to be vigilant."

Clean Up Australia is targeting one million Australians to get involved this year and the involvement of regional communities across the State is critical to achieving this. "Last year NSW had more than 300,000 people volunteering at more than 3000 sites," Mr Kiernan said. "This year we need 500,000 people from NSW to get involved and help to meet our national target of one million."

Clean Up Australia Day will take place on March 4. You can get involved by visiting www.cleanup.org.au or by calling 1800 282 329.