Illegal dumping and litter
Illegal dumping
Illegal dumping occurs in bushland, parks and at kerbside. Unbooked clean-up waste is illegal dumping. Adding waste to someone else’s booked pile is also illegal dumping. In short, illegal dumping is against the law.
Illegal dumping creates an eyesore that reduces community pride and often attracts more illegal dumping. Dumping garden waste, soil, lawn clippings and other organic material also causes serious problem for our natural areas.
Report illegal dumping
Keep an eye out for commercial operators dumping green waste, mulch, soil, building rubble and demolition material in our parks, car parks and bushland. Report any illegal dumping you see. Take note of the time, write down number plates, descriptions of vehicles and the location. Let our waste investigators know by making an online report or calling Council on 9424 0000.
Doing the right thing is easy - book a Council bulky waste clean-up.
Book a Council cleanup
We also operate a whitegoods collection and mobile chipping service. We offer regular free events to dispose of e-waste and hazardous chemicals. Items can also be dropped off at Kimbriki or Suez Transfer Station Ryde.
Before booking a clean-up, have you considered selling or sharing your unwanted items via eBay, Gumtree, Freecycle or Ziilch.
Charity organisations such as The Bower Reuse and Repair Centre collect, repair and sell preloved goods.
Our commitment to reduce litter
Ku-ring-gai residents value a clean, green environment around them. Litter makes an area look dirty and uncared for, damages our natural environment and harms our marine and wildlife. Cleaning up litter costs our ratepayers.
Littering is against the law. You must use a waste bin to dispose of your litter and if there is no waste bin available, you must keep your rubbish until you find a bin. Fines apply for littering.
Using NSW EPA Waste Less, Recycle More funding from the waste levy, Council has conducted litter assessments across Ku-ring-gai's centres. Results have been mixed, with a few centres rated as highly littered. Cigarette butts, takeaway containers and plastic drink bottle containers are the main litter items.
In response to these results, Council has prioritised litter prevention and committed to meeting the State Government target of 40% litter reduction by 2021.
The Council has introduced the Litter Free Ku-ring-gai Program, installing new bins and mall seats in centres, removing litter and improving landscaping. Between 2014 and 2018 the program has delivered a significant reduction in litter. We have exceeded the Premier’s target of 40% with an average of 90% reduction in litter across all sites.
Your personal responsibility
Make a commitment to a zero tolerance of litter. Put litter in a rubbish bin or take it with you. Put cigarettes out and put them in the bin. Keep a bag in your car to collect rubbish and put it in your waste bin when you get home.
If you see someone litter from their vehicle report them at NSW EPA's website.
Fines apply from $250. Since 2015, 669 littering reports have been made which has resulted in 465 penalty notices being issued.
Things to remember when reporting:
- Time, date, location – street, suburb and closest cross street.
- Number plate and vehicle details – make, model, colour.
- Litter type – cigarette (lit or unlit), food wrapper, drink bottle etc.
- Litter deposited – whether it was thrown, dropped, blown or placed.
- Offender details – gender, age, hair colour and any other features you notice.
Remember – your health and safety is most important so don’t use your mobile phone while driving.