We say: Don’t be rubbish, be thoughtful

It’s the first Christmas and New Year’s Eve since Wagga’s new alternating fortnightly collection of general waste and recycling and weekly collection of FOGO was introduced earlier this year.

And bins are looking mighty full.

And while some people were surprised by Christmas Day and Boxing Day rubbish collections, there’s still another week until recycling or general waste is collected, depending on which suburb you live in.

There’s a natural panic that sets in when you realise empty drink bottles and wrapping paper will clog the bin for another week, or it’s seven days until your next general waste collection after a big Christmas.

But it’s no excuse to dump rubbish around the city.

In the days since Christmas, Wagga’s two return and earn sites have received a constant flow of people ready to pop in their bottles and cans.

It can be time consuming, especially on a 40-plus degree Celsius day, but it’s the responsible way to get rid of items that don’t need to clutter the recycling bin.

And a much better alternative to dumping them in areas, such as the river, lake or beach, that are currently populated with residents and tourists.

Not only is it unfair that someone else should clean up your mess, but it’s not a nice sight to look at while enjoying a leisurely day out.

Posts have been popping up on social media about rubbish being dumped, bins being full and confusion about garbage collection days over the holiday period.

Sure, there might be more recycling and food waste but the same disposal rules should still apply as any time of year.

Fold, don’t scrunch, wrapping paper.

If you aren’t taking them to return and earn bins, crush cans to create more room in the recycling bin.

Freeze seafood waste until the night before or morning of bin collection.

A bit of extra waste is not a reason to make your rubbish someone else’s problem.