Illegal dumping is the placing of waste onto public or private land without license, permit, or approval to do so. It extends from dropping paper or cigarette butts onto the ground in public urban areas such as parks and beaches, to dumping large items in remote bushland.

The illegal dumping of rubbish and unwanted goods presents enormous problems to Sydney and its metropolitan area, from Manly to Kogarah. It is an issue which presents environmental, social and economic implications. The City of Sydney is committed to stamping out illegal dumping practices as they:

• Waste resources which could otherwise be reused or recycled
• Pollute the stormwater system and consequently our waterways
• May present danger to humans and animals (for example, hazardous waste such as batteries and asbestos; bio-hazardous waste such as used needles)
• Attracts vermin such as rats, mice, and insects such as cockroaches and maggots
• Looks unsightly and smells pungent
• Impedes safe passage of pedestrians and cyclists
• Presents financial burdens on Councils and rate paying citizens

There is never any need to illegally dump unwanted items anywhere, particularly not in the Sydney Metropolitan Area. From Manly and the Northern Beaches to Caringbah; from Watson’s Bay to Parramatta, there are plenty of better options for responsible waste disposal, including:

• Weekly general waste council collections
• Fortnightly household recycling council collections
• Fortnightly green waste council collections
• Bi-annual council kerbside cleanups
• E-waste drop-off days
• Annual Chemical Clean Outs
• Local initiatives for reuse, recycling, and waste disposal
• Private contractors like AA Adonis Rubbish Removal services, who provide a to-your-door rubbish collection service which is environmentally responsible and competitively priced.

Additionally:

• Report abandoned shopping trolleys in your area to Trolley Tracker
• Never dispose of sharps anywhere but in a sharps bin. If no other options exist, label and use an empty laundry detergent bottle. Seal the lid and take it to your pharmacy for proper disposal.
• Always dispose of chewing gum in a bin.
• Never dispose of waste, including chemicals, into a waterway or drain.
• Never leave unwanted goods on a random kerbside; never place household rubbish bags in public bins.