The region's councils are asking residents to dispose of waste properly to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Horsham Rural City Council infrastructure services director John Martin urged residents to dispose of waste the right way to help make a difference.
"Please ensure that any tissues or other sanitary items are wrapped in a garbage bag or similar, prior to placement into your kerbside waste bin," he said.
"Please do not overfill your waste or recycling bins or put them where they may easily tip over and spill.
"This will help stop potentially infectious items from escaping."
Horsham council recognised that some households might produce more waste during the pandemic as workers stayed at home.
"Please compact rubbish if possible, prior to placing it into your kerbside bin; do not compact waste already inside the bin as it will likely become stuck and not empty properly," Mr Martin said.
"These measures will provide residents with maximum capacity at home in the event of an unforeseen disruption to collections.
"They will also help to ensure the safety of council staff conducting collections, and other residents."
With the possibility of more waste being produced as social distancing continues into April, transfer station staff will take extra measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
While Horsham Rural City Council staff will accept cash and eftpos payments, Yarriambiack employees can accept only cash due to the remote location of the tip.
Yarriambiack Shire Council chief executive Jessie Holmes said staff made several changes to ensure all precautions were taken.
"We have asked tip staff to always wear personal protective equipment, such as gloves and glasses," she said.
"We are putting procedures in place for minimising contact during payment by ... (having) people paying at a table outside of the office to limit this distance.
"We have heard some councils are reducing the hours of their transfer stations; however, we view it as a critical service."
Meanwhile, West Wimmera Shire Council chief executive David Leahy said transfer stations didn't have access to eftpos, but the council was working on a solution.
"(People) who don't have access to kerbside collection will still be able to dispose of their waste," he said.
"Anyone in that situation would be able to contact council and we can collect it.
"It's not yet implemented 100 per cent."
Hindmarsh Shire Council facilities and environment co-ordinator Gary Salt said the council had rolled out eftpos at transfer stations about three weeks ago.
"There is still the ability for people to pay with cash," he said.
"But staff have personal protective gear to ensure their health and safety is protected."