Illegal dumping and littering
Illegal dumping is costly to clean up, can be a health hazard and may pollute the environment.
Report dumping LitteringAbandoned trolleys
What is illegal dumping?
Illegal dumping is the unlawful disposal of any rubbish in public places (such as bushlands, waterways, streets, laneways, parks and footpaths).
Dumped waste can attract others to dump waste at the same location. As well as being an eyesore, it can attract pests and create odours. Dumped green waste can also spread weeds.
Reporting illegal dumping
Use the NSW EPA's RIDonline tool to report illegal dumping:
Report illegal dumping online
Illegal Dumping Strategy
Council's Illegal Dumping Strategy(PDF, 1MB) focusses on illegal dumping where more than a bag full or household, commercial or green waste is deliberately taken to another place (public or private) to be disposed of, rather than pay to dispose at a landfill or use existing waste collection facilities.
What should I do with my unwanted items?
There are no excuses for dumping waste illegally. There are a number of ways you can dispose of your unwanted household items responsibly:
How can I report illegal dumping?
There are two ways to report illegal dumping in Tweed Shire:
You can be fined
Fines of $4,000 can be issued on the spot, with maximum penalties up to $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for corporations. Rangers have stepped up surveillance of dumping hotspots, using clever new technology to catch those breaking the law.
How are we tackling the problem?
Tweed Shire Council has partnered with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to conduct an Illegal Dumping Prevention Program.
Our objective is to create anti-illegal dumping behaviour for the future through an integrated approach of evidence gathering, education and awareness, prevention, enforcement, infrastructure and evaluation based on the EPA pillars for reducing illegal dumping.
This project is a NSW EPA Waste Less Recycle More Initiative funded from the Waste Levy.
Unfortunately the land owner is responsible for managing the clean-up of dumped waste on their land, including the cost of clean-up if the perpetrator cannot be identified. Visit the EPA About illegal dumping and dumpers page for more information. Neither Council nor the EPA will clean up the waste for private landowners or occupiers of private land.
Emergency Pollution and Orphan Waste Clean-up Program(PDF, 424KB)
NSW Environmental Protection Authority
Littering
Litter is any material that is disposed of incorrectly:
- cigarette butts flicked away
- bottles dropped on the ground
- fast food wrappers tossed out the window
- grass clippings swept into the gutter.
Council officers can issue fines for littering offences (depending on the nature of the litter).
Cover your load
Did you know you can be fined for not covering a load on your trailer or ute?
Make sure every load is adequately covered. Uncovered loads can spill onto the road creating a dangerous road hazard. Litter and dust from uncovered loads can affect the vision of other road users.
Report littering from vehicles
You can 'report a tosser' to the NSW Environmental Protection Authority.
You need to provide details such as the vehicle registration, location, type of litter, date and time.
Abandoned shopping trolleys
Supermarkets are responsible for collecting their own trolleys, see contact details below.
Any trolley causing a safety or traffic hazard requires immediate attention. Call Council on 02 6670 2400 including after hours.
Coles and Kmart: visit their abandoned trolley page or call 1800 876 553.
Woolworths, Big W and Dan Murphy's: report it online via the Trolley Tracker website or call 1800 641 497. Trolley Tracker return trolleys back to stores and offer a monthly prize for those who lodge reports.
IGA: contact the store directly via the IGA website.