Could a forgotten trolley put you in danger next time you shop? Experts say it might

A simple act of courtesy has spiralled into a serious safety concern outside some of Australia’s busiest shopping centres.

Abandoned shopping trolleys are now appearing in the most dangerous spots imaginable.

Lives could be at risk if an emergency were to occur.

At Bondi Junction, a recent incident highlighted just how careless some shoppers had become.

Multiple emergency exits were completely blocked by trolleys, creating a scenario that could have been catastrophic if an evacuation had been needed.

Australian fire safety regulations mandate that paths to fire exits remain free and clear, with aisles accessible at all times and free from any obstacles.

Yet, shoppers were leaving trolleys in exactly the kind of locations that could turn deadly in an emergency.

The situation was captured by a frustrated shopper on social media.

Bondi Junction incident reveals broader problem

The Bondi Junction case was particularly alarming because abandoning trolleys required extra effort.

Shoppers had to walk past the car park, through a boom gate, and across a pedestrian crossing to leave the trolleys, yet they still chose to block emergency exits.

This is not an isolated problem.

Australia has about one million shopping trolleys, many of which vanish from corrals each month.

Community reporting platforms such as Trolley Tracker have received almost three million reports of abandoned trolleys since their inception.

One resident shared their frustration: trolleys were pushed '3 blocks from the nearest shopping centre and dumped it in the doorway to the unit complex where it clogs everyone's path for 1-3 weeks.'

New laws and technology offer solutions

New laws are giving councils the power to act.

A 30-year-old NSW law dealing with abandoned property was recently amended, allowing councils to notify retailers and issue fines if trolleys are not collected within three hours.

Fines range from $660 to $13,750, with stores required to remove trolleys posing safety risks within three hours and others within seven days.

Previously, councils and police could only fine individuals caught abandoning trolleys and alert retailers to their location.

Technology is also offering solutions.

Smart trolleys with geofencing can trigger wheel-locking mechanisms if they leave designated areas.

Ipswich and Cairns, Queensland, have successfully implemented this system.

'Today abandoned trolleys are a rare sight in Ipswich,' according to Local Government NSW.

Community responsibility and civic engagement

Even more advanced systems are being trialled, using AI algorithms to detect trolleys in CCTV footage, speeding up collection.

The behaviour has been described as a 'shopping trolley test'—a measure of whether people can self-govern and do the right thing when no one is watching.

The Bondi Junction example suggested a deeper issue than laziness, as abandoning trolleys required extra effort, raising questions about civic responsibility.

Community action can make a difference.

Shoppers are encouraged to report abandoned trolleys via Trolley Tracker (trolleytracker.com.au), which offers a $1000 monthly prize draw, or by calling the free hotline 1800 641 497.

Photos of trolleys blocking emergency exits should be reported immediately to shopping centre management and local councils, as these pose real safety risks.

Supporting retailers that invest in trolley management technology is another effective step.

Some supermarkets have introduced coin-operated trolley locks or rewards for returning lost trolleys.

The broader impact of abandoned trolleys

Abandoned trolleys are more than a nuisance—they are hazards for pedestrians and road users, eyesores in parks and reserves, and can impact the environment if they enter drains and waterways.

Communities like Ipswich have shown that the problem can be almost eliminated through technology and enforcement.

Ultimately, it comes down to individual choice.

Every trolley returned is a small decision that reflects the type of community people want to live in.

Abandoned trolleys aren’t just a minor nuisance—they can create chaos in everyday public spaces.

One striking example shows how a single careless act can disrupt an entire shopping centre car park.

For a closer look at this real-life incident and its consequences, check out the full story below.

Read more: Trolley 'bandit' causes chaos in shopping centre car park

Have you ever seen abandoned trolleys blocking emergency exits in your area—and what did you do about it?