The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is asking members of the public to report illegal dumping in their communities, after recording a 34 per cent increase compared to April last year.
Minister for Environment, Matt Kean said illegally dumped waste could harm people’s health, pollute the environment and cost millions of dollars in taxpayer money each year to clean up.
“Most people do the right thing and book in a waste pick up service with their council or sell items in good condition through online forums, but some don’t,” Mr Kean said.
“Leaving waste on the kerbside without contacting your council could be illegal dumping and cost thousands of dollars in fines,” he said.
“Book a waste collection in with your local council, but if your next collection is not for a while, store your unwanted goods safely until they can be disposed of.”
Mr Kean said reports to the RIDonline database, which was used by NSW councils and Agencies to record and manage illegally dumped household waste, were up 42 per cent and reports of green waste and mulch had risen by 30 per cent.
“COVID-19 is also putting stress on charity stores and volunteers,” he said.
“If your local op shop or charity bin is closed, don’t leave your donations outside.”
He said goods left outside op shops and charity bins often became waste, with charities incurring the cost to clean up and dispose of the excess.
