Big rise in highway litter a bitter result
THE amount of rubbish on Territory highways increased by about 50 per cent in the past year, following a smaller rise the year before, the head of Keep Australia Beautiful Council NT has said.
Chief executive officer Heimo Schober said the data came from the Keep Australia Beautiful Rural Highways National Litter Index and the trend needed to stop.
He said that in 2012- 13, eight rural Territory highways were surveyed, with a 50 per cent increase in highway litter on last year’s count, which was a 10 per cent increase on 2011-12.
‘‘We have a serious problem, Northern Territory,’’ Mr Schober said.
‘‘The continual increase of highway litter over the last few years indicates to me that we have a failure in litter education and awareness.
‘‘There are ample rest stops and service stations along our highways with bins. We need to accept individual ownership and responsibility and keep the rubbish inside our car, bus or trucks, until we stop and find a bin.
‘‘Litter is dangerous to people and it’s dangerous to our environment. Rains can flush roadside litter into our waterways, affecting its quality and causing unnecessary harm to the wildlife.’’
Mr Schober said the results were so disappointing that early next year KABCNT were looking at introducing two new campaigns, including an ‘‘adopt a road’’ volunteers program.
The Top 3 of the Territory’s ‘‘Dirty Dozen’’ items were cigarette butts, uncategorised plastic objects and paper and paperboard objects.
The average number of items per 1000sq macross the eight rural highway sites was 45.6, up from 30.8.