East Gippsland Shire Council is encouraging everyone to ‘Step Up to Clean Up’ and make a difference to your community this Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday, March 7.

Mayor Cr Mendy Urie said each year local community groups including Friends and Landcare groups, Scouts, sporting groups, schools, families and individuals organise clean-up sites to combat the litter problems throughout the shire. 

“Council is supporting these individuals and groups who are hosting a registered Clean Up event by offering free disposal of collected rubbish at the nearest relevant waste facility,” Cr Urie said. 

“Clean Up Australia Day is the perfect opportunity for everyone to come together and help clean up our local parks, bushland, beaches and waterways and think about how we can reduce our impact on the environment.” 

Australians produce more than 10 kilograms of waste every week, with 4.5kg going to landfill. It is estimated that 130,000 tonnes of Australian plastic ends up in our waterways and oceans each year. 

“We need our whole community to step up to clean up and keep East Gippsland beautiful,” Cr Urie said. 

Organisers of registered Clean Up Australia Day events can take waste to their closest landfill or transfer station at no cost, but you will need to ensure you are using your official Clean Up Australia Day bags and your event has been registered. Bags will be accepted from March 1–15. Council cannot collect the bags. 

Visit the Clean Up website for details of registered local Clean Up events at www.cleanupaustraliaday.org.au/join-a-clean-up  

Businesses are encouraged to focus their action on Business Clean Up Day on Tuesday, March 2, with schools running their own Clean Up on Friday, March 5.