Illegal dumping

Illegal dumping is the disposal of large amounts of waste or items on land or in water without the correct approvals.This can include:

• Dumping of business, building or household waste in parks and gardens. 

• Putting items on the kerbside without a Bulky Waste Collection booking or placing items too early in advance of the booking date.

• Leaving unwanted items, donations and waste outside of charity bins or shop fronts. Always place items within charity bins or wait until charity is open to accept them. 

   

  Examples of illegally dumped materials on public land.
   

Littering

Litter is anything unwanted that has been thrown, blown or left in the wrong place. Littering is the discarding of smaller amounts of waste into the environment. This includes:

• Throwing rubbish out of a car window.

• Flicking cigarette butts onto the ground.

• Putting flyers or advertisements on cars or in public places instead of in letterboxes, instead of within letterbox or under doors.

     

  Examples of litter on public land.

Illegal dumping and littering are both offences under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) and attract on-the-spot fines.

Leaving your dog’s poo in public places is also an offence under the Companion Animals Act 1998. Please pick up after your pet and responsibly dispose as part of Responsible Pet Ownership.

To report illegal dumping, litter and other issues use Council’s Log it / Fix it platform. 

Please give as much detail as you can, such as the location and any photos or information. This helps Council investigate the problem.

Relevant request categories on Log it / Fix it include:

• Illegal dumping: if you witness illegal dumping or find illegally dumped materials.

• Roadside litter: for litter picking small windswept waste on the road.
  If you have seen or have evidence of vehicle registration you can Report a Tosser (fines apply).

• ​Street/park litter bin - full or overflowing: if a public litter bin is full or overflowing.

• ​Street/park litter bin - missing or damaged: if a public litter bin is missing/stolen or the bin or bin stand is damaged or vandalised.  

• Dog Waste Bag Dispenser - Refill: if a public dog bag dispenser is empty. 

• Abandoned article: for bikes, machinery and items that may be of value left on public land.
  See Shopping Trolleys for more information on reporting unattended trolleys.

• Abandoned vehicle: for cars or trailers abandoned on public land. See Abandoned or Unregistered Vehicles for more information.  

Everyone, including individuals and businesses, has a role in managing waste and getting rid of it the right way.

This includes:

• Using Council’s waste and recycling services correctly, and/or

• Arranging a reputable private waste contractor, and/or

• Taking items to a licensed recycling or disposal facility yourself.

Illegal dumping

The Owner-Builder Waste Checklist is a quick guide on how to manage site waste responsibly, prevent illegal dumping and how to report it. Not all types of waste or situations are covered by Council bin services.

Below are some commonly dumped items and links to information on how to recycle or dispose of them responsibly:

• Bulky household item (furniture, white goods, mattresses): Bulky Waste Collection.

• Chemical waste (paints, gas bottles): Household Chemical CleanOut.

• Electronic waste (TVs, small appliances): E-Waste & Extras Drop Off.

• Tyres and car parts, building materials, asbestos, mulch and a range of other materials: A-Z Recycling Guide.

​Littering

Litter placed securely inside a bin is no longer litter.

Putting rubbish in the right place helps keep our streets, parks and waterways clean. Please use public litter bins for small, on-the-go items while you’re out and about, or take your waste home if a bin is not available.

Commercial and household waste must not be placed in public litter bins. T hese items can block the bin, leave less space, and cause overflow and more litter nearby. Do not leave rubbish next to bins or in public places.

Using bins correctly helps Keep Georges River Beautiful and ensures they remain available for everyone.

Council works to prevent illegal dumping and cleans it up when it happens.
 

Surveillance and Enforcement

Council officers conduct regularly check areas where illegal dumping often occurs, such as local streets, lanes, car parks, industrial areas and bushland.

If someone reports dumped waste using the Log it / Fix it portal, Council will investigate and action it.

Cameras (both permanent and temporary) are used to deter illegal dumping and record activity as evidence. 

If there is enough evidence, Council will take action under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) including heavy fines for individuals and corporation. 


 

Prevention and Education

Council shares information to help people understand why illegal dumping is harmful to the community, the environment, and how to dispose of waste the right way.

Council also works with strata managers of multi-unit dwellings to encourage booking Bulky Waste Collections and share waste education materials to residents.

When development applications are lodged, Council reviews Waste Management Plans that detail how sites manage their waste. Officers also encourage the community to be vigilant when engaging with waste removalists and contractors and encourage reporting of illegal dumping.

To help keep our neighbourhoods clean, Council provides regular street sweeping and cleansing services to maintain cleanliness. Council also provides a network of almost 600 public street and park litter bins in busy, high foot‑traffic areas such as commercial business districts and parks.  

Council also supports a range of litter prevention and community clean‑up initiatives, including:

• Offering free waste education programs for schools and community groups to help them understand responsible waste practices.

• Working together with Georges Riverkeeper and other organisations to protect and improve our Wetland and Waterways.

• Supporting local Clean Up Australia Day events and other community clean‑ups throughout the year.

Together, these actions help reduce litter, protect the environment and keep our public spaces clean and enjoyable for everyone.

Georges River Council is increasing public place recycling through participation in the Return and Earn bin basket trial.

The bin baskets make it easier to recycle drink bottles and cans while you’re on the go. They accept eligible containers marked with ‘10c refund at collection deposit points’ on the label. This makes it easy to 'pay it forward', allowing residents or community groups can then easily collect the containers for recycling.

Currently, there are 20 Return and Earn bin baskets installed on public bins in the following locations:

• Kogarah CBD.

• Hurstville CBD.

• Carss Bush Park, Carss Park.

• Poulton Park, Hurstville Grove.

An assessment of the trial will take place in 2026/27, with opportunities to expand the program in the future.

Everyone has a role to play in keeping our community clean and safe. You can help by:

• Reducing waste where possible and disposing of waste and recycle correctly.

• Report illegal dumping incidents and litter issues through Council’s Log it / Fix it portal. The community acts as our eyes and ears, as Council officers cannot monitor all areas at all times.

• Take part in community clean-ups and help spread positive habits and awareness including:

  • Requesting education signage if you live in an apartment.
  • Joining or starting your own local clean-up with Clean Up Australia.

  • Keep informed about waste and sustainability news using PlanetArk or NSW EPA and advocate for changes that support waste reduction.