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Last Updated: Thursday, 10 October 2024 13:25

Littering and illegal dumping is unsightly and has significant health and safety risks for the environment and residents. 

Definition of littering and/or dumping

Littering and illegal dumping describes any waste items (e.g. refuse, debris, rubbish, cigarette butts, food materials) that have been left without permission on public, state or private land. Littering also covers the placement of unsolicited advertising material on a motor vehicle, building or other fixed structure and continuous junk mail (when a 'no junk mail' sign is clearly displayed) or newspapers on the ground.

How to report littering and/or illegal dumping

To lodge a complaint about littering or illegal dumping lodge an online general request/complaint or call 131 872.

The following information is beneficial for our investigation:

• Location of the material.
• What the material consists of.
• When the dumping/littering occurred (time and date if known).
• Who was responsible for dumping the material (if known).
• Vehicle details (if a vehicle was involved and details known).
• Photographs of the materials (time and date stamped if possible).
• Any other relevant details.
• Whether you'd like to be contacted about the matter or not.

Stop the delivery of junk mail or newspapers

Contact the junk mail or newspaper company to request the service be stopped and place a clearly visible sign saying 'no junk mail' or 'Australia Post only' on the mailbox.

Contact details for common junk mail:

Report an abandoned shopping trolley

Trolleys that have been removed from shopping centres can be reported to the company that the trolley belongs to:

• Woolworths, Big W and Dan Murphy's - Trolley Tracker
• Coles or Kmart - phone 1800 876 553.
• Aldi - ALDI's lost trolleys or catalogues

Ways to responsibly dispose of waste

• In areas serviced by waste trucks, the majority of general household waste can be disposed of in green or red-lidded waste bins and recyclable items can be placed in the yellow-lidded bins. Read more about this service here.
• Residents in areas not serviced by waste trucks should take their waste to the nearest landfill facility or transfer station. Locations and opening times can be found on our 'Waste facilities' page.
• Excess amounts of household waste, including green waste, recyclables, tyres, vehicles, furniture and white goods should be taken to the nearest landfill facility or transfer station. More information about these facilities can be found on the 'Waste facilities' page.
• Try to re-home unwanted but undamaged items where possible. You can do this at the tip shop located at the Greater Toowoomba Waste Management Facility (270 O'Mara Road, Wellcamp)270 O'Mara Road, Wellcamp).
• Construction and demolition materials and large scale was from commercial operators should be taken to an appropriate waste facility. For locations and opening times of our facilities, open our 'Waste facilities' page.

Penalties for illegal dumping and littering

Littering and dumping is illegal and a large fine may be incurred. We will make every attempt to locate the owner of the illegally dumped materials so we can take one of the following actions:

• Issue a warning.
• Issue a clean-up notice ordering the offender to remedy the offence.
• Issue the offender with an on-the-spot fine.