Grab your gloves and bags and be a part of the country's largest community-based environmental event Clean Up Australia Day on Sunday, March 7.
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The popular event was started by late Ian Kiernan in 1989 after he was shocked to see pollution in the oceans. His daughter and Clean Up chairman, Pip Kiernan, said that her father wanted to do something about it and decided to clean up his backyard.
"He organised a community event Clean Up Sydney Harbour in 1989 which saw the participation of 40,000 Sydneysiders. He knew that Australians were concerned about the amount of litter that was ending up in our environment," she said.
The event sparked enthusiasm among people and led to the birth of Australia Clean Up Day in 1990.
"The reason the event has continued for so long is that it puts it in the hands of the community and every bit that our volunteers are doing is helping the environment. Every one of us can get out, clean up and make a difference," she added.
"I am proud to be able to continue what he started and it's something that Australians get behind and care about. It's a privilige to be able to continue it."
The event is held on the first Sunday in March every year and you can register for a site to clean or join one near you at their official website here. The donations are used to provide materials to clean up in the communities.
This year, Goulburn Mulwaree Council is helping people clean up public areas by providing disposal for waste collected during local Clean Up Australia Day activities. The waste will be collected at Victoria Park from 9-11am.
Registrations for the event, can be made as an official event with Clean Up Australia Day at cleanup.org.au or contact Goulburn Mulwaree Council on (02) 4823 4417.
Meanwhile, Upper Lachlan Shire Council is offering Upper Lachlan residents free disposal of household goods at its Waste Management Centres between 10am and 4pm.
Waste accepted at no charge will be domestic waste, furniture, e-waste (televisions, computers, printers, electricals etc), recyclables and garden organics.
The following items will not be accepted: chemicals, paints, pesticides, poisons, cooking oil, liquids, smoke detectors, gas bottles and fire extinguishers, tyres and asbestos.
The Taralga and Collector centres are only able to accept small household waste. Large items, such as furniture, must be taken to either the Gunning or Crookwell facilities.
Meanwhile, Wingecarribee Shire Council's free waste reduction workshops, which will be held at various times from Monday-Saturday, March 1-6 (except Thursday), gives you a chance to reduce your waste.
Business Clean Up will be held on Tuesday, March 2 and Schools Clean Up on Friday, March 5.
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