ILLEGALLY dumped rubbish in the Gawler River has inspired 13-year-old Jayden Carmody and his father, Sean, to begin community recycling awareness.

Based at Lyndoch, the duo hopes to educate locals on how to properly recycle and correctly use their red, green and yellow bins.

Jayden attends Xavier College and said he has a passion for protecting the environment.

“It’s disappointing when you go down to the Gawler River, walk not even 100 metres, and come across rubbish,” he said.

“I’ve come across shopping trolleys and other household items.

“We are wanting to bring awareness of where to take items and how to properly recycle.”

Mr Carmody said many people were putting their rubbish in the wrong bins.

“For example, people are putting batteries in their red bins because they are unaware of how to properly dispose of them,” he said.

“Jayden and I are hoping to create awareness about where to take certain items.

“Like electrical items, if they no longer work, can be taken to a place like Bunnings.

“A lot of those things end up in landfill or are illegally dumped.

“People also dump motor oil, but that can also be taken to local businesses.”

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the duo were planning to host a ‘before the river runs’ clean-up in March – when the Gawler river bed is dry and the rubbish more easily accessible.

“We now plan to host a similar clean-up next year and rally some helpers,” Mr Carmody said.

“We’ve found during the pandemic, people have become more environmentally conscious.

“This is also a great bonding experience for me and my son”.

The pair are hoping to get South Aussie with Cossie on board and will offer a recycling segment to his program.

They have also started their own Facebook page ‘Recycle SA’, working to the motto ‘Recycle SA, don’t throw it away’.

For any local recycling queries, people can message the Facebook page.