About illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is wrong, and often dangerous. Here’s what we’re doing to stop illegal dumping.

What is illegal dumping?

Illegal dumping is the disposal of more than small amounts of waste or litter on land or in water without the correct approvals (an environment protection licence or planning approvals).

Illegal dumping can include

• placing unwanted household items on the footpath when there is no council collection
• dumping rubbish or green waste in the bush or on the side of a road
• businesses or contractors who are paid to correctly dispose of commercial waste but instead dump it on land without proper approvals
• dumping asbestos waste

Why is illegal dumping a problem?

Illegal dumping can

• harm human health
• contaminate the environment and soil, and poison plants and animals
• smother native vegetation
• introduce weeds into sensitive bushland
• pollute waterways
• degrade culturally sensitive environments
• make public places dangerous to use
• create a fire risk and endanger people’s lives by blocking emergency access
• degrade land value
• cost millions of dollars in taxpayer money each year to clean up
• undermine legitimate businesses

If you spot illegal dumping in NSW report it via RID Online.