Penrith community empowered to never waste a chance to do the right thing with litter

Wednesday, 9 June 2021

The harmful effects of littering to the environment, wildlife and the health of the community are still being felt with more than 25,000 tonnes of litter found in NSW each year.

Plastic takeaway containers make up 24% of the litter found, while plastic bag straps are a common cause of injuries for wildlife.

That’s why Penrith City Council is encouraging residents to do the right thing with their litter, and never waste a chance by disposing of their litter in the right way, whether that be in a bin or putting it in your pocket to dispose of at home.

Penrith Mayor and Sustainability Champion Karen McKeown OAM commended the simple tips and tricks that residents are already employing to keep the environment and community around them litter free.

“There are simple ways that we can work together to keep our City clean that are both environmentally and financially sustainable for everyone,” Cr McKeown said.

“If you’re out and about and there are no rubbish bins near you, one of the simplest ways to make sure you’re doing the right thing is to bag your rubbish and take it with you in your car until you’re at a location that has the appropriate facilities.

“You can take a green compostable bag with you when you walk your dog to pick up after them, and then pop the bag in your FOGO bin.

“The whole family can get involved in collecting beverage bottles, cartons and cans and take them to your nearest Return and Earn facility. Some families have found this to be a great way to teach young children how to save money.

“Many residents have invested in reusable coffee cups and water bottles that they can use over and over at local coffee shops and water refill stations.

“People who are caught littering are subject to fines, so let's all make sure we do the right thing with our litter and avoid these penalties,” she continued.

Fines range from $80 for littering small items to $450 for littering in aggravated or dangerous circumstances.

For more information about littering, visit penrith.city/litter

Information contained within this news release was correct as at Wednesday, 9 June 2021.