How to report dumped rubbish
It’s against the law to dump, bury or burn waste anywhere that is not licensed to accept it.
Illegal dumping includes:
- leaving unwanted items on the kerbside or beside charity donation bins
- dumping rubbish or green waste in bushland or along roadsides
- putting household or business waste in street litter bins or skip bins on building sites
- businesses or contractors who are paid to correctly dispose of waste, but instead dump it on roadsides or on land without the correct approvals.
Report dumped waste here
Reporting litter from vehicles
If you see someone littering from a vehicle, or near a vehicle they are using, you can report it to EPA Victoria using the EPA online litter report form. More information about reporting litter from vehicles is available on the EPA website.
Why is illegal dumping a problem?
Dumped rubbish on kerbsides, roadsides, and in bushland can:
- Pollute our environment and waterways
- spread litter through wind and wildlife
- make public spaces unsafe and unattractive
- introduce weeds into sensitive bushland
- contaminate soil with harmful chemicals.
Cleaning up dumped rubbish can cost hundreds of dollars and may require trucks and machinery to safely remove and dispose of the waste.
How can you help stop illegal dumping?
1. Take your waste to the right place
Check what's accepted at Council's transfer stations
2. Report illegally dumped waste to Council
If you see someone dumping rubbish, do not approach them. Instead, note any details that may help an investigation, such as a number plate, vehicle make and mode, the person’s appearance, or other identifying features.
3. Ask for proof of correct waste disposal
If someone disposes of waste on your behalf, ask for proof that it was taken to an EPA-approved waste or recycling facility. Keep a record of their ABN, business address and contact number as proof they collected your waste.
Remember, you are responsible for your waste.
4. If you own a property, know what is being brought onto your land.
Farmers and private or public landowners must not accept waste or fill material without the appropriate approvals. Clean fill is classified as industrial waste and must be taken to a licensed disposal site.
For more information visit EPA Victoria
What happens when you report dumped waste?
All reports of dumped waste are investigated by Council’s Litter Prevention Officer. Fines of up to $9,000 may apply.
Reports also help Council identify dumping hot spots and develop strategies to prevent future dumping in local areas.
Free recycling options at Council transfer stations
Taking waste and recycling to a transfer station may cost less than you think.
Many household items are accepted free, including:
- televisions and computers
- polystyrene (up to 0.5m3) - Anglesea & Lorne only
- cardboard boxes and cardboard packaging
- scrap metal such as barbecues, outdoor furniture and lawnmowers.
Find out what's accepted and disposal costs at each transfer station
Council provides all ratepayers with annual hard waste and green waste vouchers for free disposal of up to one cubic metre of general waste and green waste.
Vouchers are sent in July to the ratepayer's primary postal or email address (if registered). Permanent tenants can ask their landlord or property manager if they can use the vouchers for property clean-ups.