Outback Packs Boost Fight Against Litter
Rio Tinto has joined the battle to reduce litter in Western Australia by providing sponsorship of Keep Australia Beautiful’s Outback Packs in 2012.
The free clean-up kits will be available from visitor centres’ in major regional tourist areas across the State.
The Outback Packs include rubbish bags, tongs and gloves to help people on the road dispose of their own rubbish responsibly and collect litter that is spoiling otherwise scenic spots.
Keep Australia Beautiful (WA) Chair Mel Hay said regional highways and outback roads were some of the most littered areas in WA and by picking up an Outback Pack, travellers could do their bit to keep the State beautiful.
“Some of the State’s most beautiful landmarks and popular tourist spots are marred by litter strewn along roads and pathways.
The Outback Packs are a convenient way for travellers to take action against litter,” he said.
“Having the support of organisations such as Rio Tinto makes our job so much more effective as we can provide these resources to travellers free of charge.”
Allan Jackson, Rio Tinto General Manager, Climate Change, Environment and Water said the Keep Australia Beautiful campaign was consistent with Rio Tinto’s environmental values.
“The Outback Packs are an innovative and effective way to ensure our unique WA environment is kept clean and tidy.
“This sits strongly with our strategy of supporting the environments in and around our operations and our Sustainable Development principles of minimising harm to flora, fauna, land and water bodies” he said.
The Outback Packs are packed by students from Western Australian high schools as part of their community service program.
The Department of Environment and Conservation provides administrative, logistical and policy support to the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (WA).
The program is supported by the Waste Authority through the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Account.
For more information about the Outback Packs visit www.kabc.wa.gov.au.
Tags: clean up kits, Echo, Karratha, Keep Australia Beautiful, outback packs, pilbaranews, RIO TINTO
