Residents of Christchurch have been left puzzled as nearly 670 kilograms of meat have been discarded in the city’s public bins in recent weeks. The Christchurch City Council has highlighted the financial implications of such actions, revealing that the cost of clearing up fly-tipping from the city’s roadsides has exceeded $800,000 over the past six years.
City Councillor Andrei Moore reported that the largest single dumping incident occurred last night, with 14 bags containing 250kg of meat being discarded. “It’s challenging to pinpoint the source of this meat, whether from a business or a homekill operation,” Moore commented.
He speculated that the dumping might be an attempt to evade the associated fees, which could range from $150 to $170 for such a quantity.
The dumped meat, believed to be a mix of beef and pork, was easily visible in the bins, leading to concerns about unsuspecting residents, especially children, encountering the discarded produce.
Moore emphasised the financial strain such actions place on the council, stating, “Public bins are intended for general waste when out and about, not for household or commercial waste.”
The council’s expenditure on clearing illegally dumped rubbish has seen a steady increase over the years. In 2020, the cost peaked at $330,000. In 2023 alone, there were 3,142 reports of rubbish being dumped in Christchurch parks.
Steve Guy, the city streets maintenance manager, expressed his disappointment, noting, “This expenditure comes at the cost of other essential projects.”
The council is now exploring options to hold individuals accountable for such actions. Guy added, “While we’re considering prosecution options, our preference is for residents to act responsibly.” Residents are encouraged to report illegal dumping using the ‘Snap, Send, Solve’ app or by contacting the council directly.
