Illegal dumping impacts more than the environment, it impacts our way of life.
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, be aesthetically displeasing, attract pests, and create odour. Dumped green waste can also spread weeds.
Reporting illegal dumping
Illegal dumping is costly to clean up and can be dangerous to your health. Watch this video on how to report illegal dumping from your phone so we can take action against those responsible.
Report illegal dumping online
Illegal Dumping Strategy
This Strategy focusses on illegal dumping where more than a bag full or household, commercial or green waste is deliberately taken to another public or private place to be disposed of rather than pay to dispose at a landfill or use existing waste collection facilities.
Illegal Dumping Strategy 2019-21 (1.05mB PDF)
There are no excuses for dumping waste illegally. There are a number of ways you can dispose of your unwanted household items responsibly:
- Use your free On Call Household Clean Up service, provided to all rate payers with a domestic wheelie bin collection service . Find out more by visiting our On Call Household Clean Up page.
- Take your items to the Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre where many items are accepted for free. Find out more by visiting our Stotts Creek Resource Recovery Centre page.
There are two ways to report illegal dumping in Tweed Shire:
- To Report Illegal Dumping (RID) Online, or by phoning directly on 131 555
- To Council during business hours on (02) 6670 2400 or 1300 292 872, or after hours on 1800 818 326
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.
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 (424kB PDF)
NSW Environmental Protection Authority
Abandoned Shopping Trolleys
For
Coles Supermarkets, visit their
Abandoned Trolley web page or call 1800 876 553 (1800trolley).
For other major stores such as
Woolworths, Big W, Dan Murphy's, and IGA - to report an abandoned shopping trolley in streets or public areas, report to Trolley Trackers:
w:
Trolley Tracker web site
p: 1800 641 497 (freecall)
e:
trolleytracker@trolleytracker.com.au
Trolley Tracker is a service that receives reports of abandoned shopping trolleys, collects and returns the trolleys back to stores. A prize is offered each month, drawn from the names of people who lodge reports to Trolley Tracker.
Littering
Litter can be almost any material that is disposed of incorrectly. Litter includes cigarette butts, drink containers, bottles dropped on the ground, fast food wrappers thrown, or grass clippings swept into the gutter. Authorised officers of Council have the ability to issue
penalty infringement notices for littering offences dependent on the nature of the litter.
Did you know you could be fined for not covering your trailer or ute which has a load of material?
Ensure each load of material you are transporting is adequately covered. Uncovered loads can spill onto the road, creating pollution and litter. Dust, soil and litter that escape from uncovered loads can wash into stormwater drains and pollute waterways. Don't risk a fine. Litter from uncovered loads can also cause an accident through heavy objects dislodging and dust obscuring the vision of other road users such as motor bike riders. Transport waste responsibly.
Report Littering from Vehicles
If you see litter being discarded or blown from a vehicle you can report this to the
NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA). You will need to record details such as the vehicle registration, location, type of litter, date and time.
Wallet cards providing details of how to report are available at either of Council's Offices at Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.