We're not a dumping ground for rubbish

A primary school gets a nasty surprise when chemical solvents are left at the entrance. It's not an isolated incident, writes Helen Laurent
Schools are usually delighted to receive a donation from a member of the public. But not the kind of donation Konini Primary School received recently. Chemical solvents were dumped beside a clothing bin, right next to the school entrance. The school's caretaker, overwhelmed by fumes, made the discovery. "It's not a nice thing to happen," says Konini principal Barry Hambleton. "There is an appropriate place for everything, but this is not the sort of thing that should be dumped by a school. When there is an emergency, it affects everyone and a school is not a place to dump things." Despite the drama of police, fire and ambulance services turning up at the school, Mr Hambleton is proud of his school's reaction. "The children and teachers handled it very well. We have fire drills every term so they knew what to do. A lot of parents were dropping their children off and they also handled it very well." Takapuna Normal Intermediate principal Owen Alexander is head of the Auckland Primary Principals Association. He says dumping at schools is increasing. Mr Alexander says some schools have had to cancel their recycling programmes because oil, dead animals and car parts have been dumped. He says schools will always be prone to dumping as long as they remain open areas. "It would be a huge disappointment for schools and their communities if the public are denied access and fences put up," he says. Waitakere deputy fire officer Kerry Gregory says there have been 634 hazardous substances call-outs across Auckland since July 2007. Every call is treated seriously. "If there is a danger to the public, we will go out. It could be chemicals falling off a truck or being dumped in a residential area or at schools. Any hazardous materials need to be disposed of in the proper manner; members of the public can investigate and it can cause them harm."