Illegal Dumping

Commonly illegally dumped items include: 

• Household rubbish (bags of rubbish) 

• Garden waste 

• Household goods (e.g., Whitegoods, TV’s mattresses and furniture) 

• Building waste (construction and demolition materials) 

• Tyres, chemical drums, and paint tins 

• Abandoned cars 

• Asbestos 

Did you know? 

Leaving items on the footpath (outside of collection days) or outside a charity bin or shop is classed as illegal dumping. Doing this costs charities and councils thousands of dollars to clean up. If your items are too big to fit into a charity bin drop it off in store. 

• Contain broken glass, syringes, nappies, medical waste and toxic substances like asbestos: 

• Attract disease vectors such as rodents, insects (including mosquitoes) and other vermin: 

• Block waterways and stormwater drains, increasing the potential for flooding and erosion: 

• Be a potential fire hazard: 

• Build up next to roads becoming safety hazards: 

• Block gutters and find its way into creeks and waterways: 

• Harm and/or kill wildlife e.g. suffocating birds or aquatic life: 

Even unlikely materials such as soil and garden waste contributes to litter and dumping issues within the Western Downs by spreading pests and weeds, including fire ants and lantana. Organic waste such as food scraps, contributes to algae blooms in waterways. 

Economic Impacts 

As well as health and environmental risks, littering and illegal dumping also has a economic impact on residents. Littering and illegal dumping significantly diminishes the image of the region’s public places and local communities by making them appear dirty, uncared for or unpleasant to be in. Fewer visitors will be attracted to unappealing communities and public places which reduces economic growth within the region. Littering and illegal dumping also costs Queensland communities millions of dollars each year in waste management and clean-up expenses which could otherwise be used for important community services or amenities. Illegal dumping can also: 

• Reduce property value and impact regional investment

• Promote other antisocial and illegal activities

• Decrease community pride and attract further dumping

• To avoid disposal fees at tip sites 

• Lack of awareness of the availability of waste and recycling infrastructure 

• Incorrect perception of what is illegally dumping (e.g. depositing household items beside charity bins) 

• Assumption that people are employed to manage the site 

• The time or effort disposing of or recycling their waste properly 

• Incorrect assumption that illegally dumping doesn’t cost them anything 

Many illegal dumpers go to extreme lengths to try to avoid detection and potential fines while illegally dumping material. If they consider the cost of fuel and time taken to dispose of waste, they would usually find it cheaper and quicker to dispose of these materials legally at a landfill or transfer station. See Waste Facility and Disposal Fees