Australia is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes and unique wildlife. However, a disturbing trend is tarnishing this beautiful image.

Illegal dumping is surging across the nation, causing environmental havoc and costing Australians millions of dollars annually.

This isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a crisis that poses significant risks to our environment, public health, and the economy.

The issue of illegal dumping is not new, but recent reports suggest that it's getting worse.

In September alone, 15,339 incidents were reported to Snap Send Solve, a 53.5 per cent increase over the previous year.

This alarming rise in illegal waste disposal is unsightly, expensive to manage, and a risk to our health, as authorities have warned.

Illegal dumping of rubbish, including household waste and building materials, is being reported at an increasing rate across Australia. Credit: Reddit

Waste materials, including household trash and construction debris, can contaminate soil and waterways, harm wildlife, and disrupt natural habitats.

A recent incident near Melbourne Airport at Woodlands Historic Park highlighted the problem's severity.

A resident's photographs of 'massive amounts of rubbish' dumped illegally in this area adjacent to a nature reserve are a stark reminder of some individuals' disrespect towards our environment.

The local council and the state government are grappling with the cleanup, which has cost ratepayers a staggering $4.7 million over the last year in Hume City Council alone.

‘The removal of dumped rubbish has cost ratepayers $4.7 million over the last year, and Hume City Council shares residents’ frustrations regarding abandoned rubbish in our municipality.’ the city council said.

Victoria has recorded the highest number of reported incidents, with a 54.5 per cent increase from September 2023 to September 2024.

New South Wales, Queensland, and Western Australia have also seen significant increases in illegal dumping reports, indicating that this nationwide problem requires immediate attention.

One of the most concerning aspects of illegal dumping is the disposal of hazardous materials, such as asbestos, which poses severe health risks.

These materials are often found in building waste, particularly in areas with new housing developments.

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has warned that contaminated soil and building rubble can be a severe health risk, even if they appear harmless.

‘Contaminated soil, asbestos and building rubble are often dumped to avoid paying waste levies.’ they said.

‘Materials like these can be a severe health risk, even if they appear harmless,’

The community's response to this issue has been one of outrage, with Australians labelling the act as 'disgraceful' and an 'absolute joke.'

The penalties for illegal dumping are severe, with fines reaching up to $250,000 for individuals and $1 million for corporations in NSW, and even higher penalties, including imprisonment, in Victoria.

Residents are encouraged to take proactive steps by reporting signs of illegal waste disposal using the Snap Send Solve app for Android and Apple).

‘This prompts better visibility for local authorities. Let’s foster a cleaner and safer community environment for everyone to enjoy.’ the council stated.

Key Takeaways

• Illegal dumping of rubbish, including household waste and building materials, has surged across Australia, with a significant increase in incidents reported.
• The act poses environmental risks, is costly to manage, and threatens human health.
• Victoria recorded the highest number of reported incidents of illegal dumping, showcasing a growing problem in waste management solutions.
• Penalties for illegal dumping are severe, with substantial fines and possible imprisonment for individuals and corporations.

Have you noticed an increase in dumped rubbish in your area? What actions could be taken to address this growing problem? Feel free to share your thoughts and opinions in the comments below.

 

[tabbycat2505]

councils should always be part of the solution not part of the problem.Especially with asbestos.If they charge exhorbitant fees or put too many obstacels in the way or having to jump hoops to dispose of the product it is only natural that people will find other ways to get rid of it and putting other people health at risk in the process

 

[Heather Watson]

In Gladstone

 

[Heather Watson]

In Gladstone Queensland we pay the highest rates in Queensland and the council charges to dump green waste and you can only use a card which many pensioners do not have it's no wonder people Start to lookee for other ways to dispose of rubbish that the council's should cover in rates. We use to get threw trees when you payed your rates and no newspaper any more in this town? City? You ring the to cut there grass coming over your back fence to be told they have to have a meeting to see if they will cut it. Not only a fire risk it breed's snake's and rats.Giveus something your rates is not to much to ask.

 

[mylittletibbies]

I certainly do not think these ferals should be dumping rubbish willynilly, but what do councils expect when they charge exhorbitant tip fees.
People are struggling and this is just an extra charge that many of them cannot afford.
If its costing so much to clean up then perhaps Councils should revert to the "good old days" when tips were free or perhaps do more verge pickups.

 

[Isis]

No dumped runbish in our suburban area and we have a small creek. Our council as most others has a regular rubbish pickup twice a year as part of council rates .

 

[Gazman]

Once again, we have it wrong. Fines when convicted should be a minimum of $20,000. Second offence $100,000 and if caught a third time 10 years in the cells.

 

[MIZMAC]

Hume City Council should bring their fees down. Most residents are hard working or retirees and cannot afford the fees.

 

[Clancieblue]

councils should always be part of the solution not part of the problem.Especially with asbestos.If they charge exhorbitant fees or put too many obstacels in the way or having to jump hoops to dispose of the product it is only natural that people will find other ways to get rid of it and putting other people health at risk in the process

I think you are on it. If it costs the council so much to remedy the problem, why not make it easier, and cheaper to discard the rubbish in the first place? Win win.

 

[Ebby]

ln the Channel area of Hobart there is no garbage pick up so we take our rubbish and what we don't want to the tip which usually costs us under $20. What l hate seeing is people chucking rubbish out of their cars windows.

 

[Jest]

so many bogans without a brain. wish i could dump on their front lawn, but then they would not have one.

 

[Jest]

so many bogans without a brain. wish i could dump on their front lawn, but then they would not have one.

who took the photo?

 

[Isis]

In Gladstone Queensland we pay the highest rates in Queensland and the council charges to dump green waste and you can only use a card which many pensioners do not have it's no wonder people Start to lookee for other ways to dispose of rubbish that the council's should cover in rates. We use to get threw trees when you payed your rates and no newspaper any more in this town? City? You ring the to cut there grass coming over your back fence to be told they have to have a meeting to see if they will cut it. Not only a fire risk it breed's snake's and rats.Giveus something your rates is not to much to ask.

That is dreadful for your beautiful state . Something to think of next election

 

[marni]

It’s time they placed cameras in known dump spots. Hide them in nearby trees. At least then the culprits would recompense some of the costs

 

[Isis]

so many bogans without a brain. wish i could dump on their front lawn, but then they would not have one.

ln the Channel area of Hobart there is no garbage pick up so we take our rubbish and what we don't want to the tip which usually costs us under $20. What l hate seeing is people chucking rubbish out of their cars windows.

That’s hard, didn’t think people did the window chuck any more sad.

 

[Ebby]

That’s hard, didn’t think people did the window chuck any more sad.

Must say l haven't seen much of it lately either which is good.

 

[MariaG]

We always take advantage of kerbside pick up. Each household is allowed 2 pick ups a year, and, when we have them, a little clutch of neighbours add to each others. Works quite well. In effect we have the opportunity to utilise 8-10 kerbside pickups a year. It's good when neighbours can work together.

We moved here from an area that has 2 pick ups a year for all households, run by council. Was OK, however, if we had the need for another, it was a case of selling your first born child to afford sending stuff to the tip. Crazy expensive.

If the tip fees were not so over the top, I feel more people would deliver there. Chemical and electrical disposal is a huge area that many people overlook because of the costs.

In the end, we are paying for our rubbish everywhere we look. Rates include general waste, re-cycle waste, garden waste, 2 kerbsides a year. Then we have to add chemical waste, electrical waste and whatever else we have to pay for the right of disposal. If clothes are not good enough for charity bins, then where do they end up?

If we were not so focused on having so many material possessions, perhaps, there would not be such a vast need for disposal of things we no longer use. Maybe the time has come that we get used to having things repaired, rather than just toss them and buy another.

 

[Ebby]

We always take advantage of kerbside pick up. Each household is allowed 2 pick ups a year, and, when we have them, a little clutch of neighbours add to each others. Works quite well. In effect we have the opportunity to utilise 8-10 kerbside pickups a year. It's good when neighbours can work together.

We moved here from an area that has 2 pick ups a year for all households, run by council. Was OK, however, if we had the need for another, it was a case of selling your first born child to afford sending stuff to the tip. Crazy expensive.

If the tip fees were not so over the top, I feel more people would deliver there. Chemical and electrical disposal is a huge area that many people overlook because of the costs.

In the end, we are paying for our rubbish everywhere we look. Rates include general waste, re-cycle waste, garden waste, 2 kerbsides a year. Then we have to add chemical waste, electrical waste and whatever else we have to pay for the right of disposal. If clothes are not good enough for charity bins, then where do they end up?

If we were not so focused on having so many material possessions, perhaps, there would not be such a vast need for disposal of things we no longer use. Maybe the time has come that we get used to having things repaired, rather than just toss them and buy another.

Ha ha ! How much are first borns going for these days?

 

[Chris Hills]

Here, in Boroondara, I went to the local Refuse Transfer Station to dump one item. I was told that it would cost me $35+. It used to be free for small amounts. Perhaps Councils are contributing to the problem. Is it another example of a service that should be controlled by State, not Local, Government?

 

[Gsr]

Where I live we get 1 kerbside pickup a year, but very limited what they will pick up, no green waste, electrical, white goods, mattresses, only very small amounts of building items, nothing heavier than a 2 person lift etc etc. we also get a voucher to dump a 4x6 trailer load of rubbish free of charge. Again there are restrictions on what you can dump. Mattresses are always a chargeable item. Any white goods with gas in them eg. fridge are chargeable. A couple times a year council have a day where you can take car battery, limited oil waste, old paint, old fuels etc for free. E waste is generally free anytime if you take it to the dump. Even green waste is chargeable if you take it to the dump. Furniture can be dumped for a charge, then if it is still in good condition council sell it in their recycle shop they have on the dump site. They also resell any other good quality stuff like toys, clothes. There are special areas to dump stuff and then council sort out any saleable items for their shop before pushing the rest into the dump. The fees they charge to dump are very high, no wonder people dump illegall. Our council charge by weight for dumping.