Illegal dumping on the rise during Coronavirus crisis

Members of the public are being asked to report illegal dumping in their communities, after the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) recorded a 34 per cent increase in illegal dumping last month compared to April 2019.

Minister for Environment Matt Kean said illegally dumped waste can harm our health, pollute the environment and cost millions of dollars in taxpayer money each year to clean up.

Reports to the RIDonline database which is used by NSW councils and government agencies to record and manage illegal dumping incidents of dumped household waste were up 42 per cent, green waste and mulch rose by 30 per cent.

COVID-19 is also putting stress on charity stores and volunteers. If your local op shop or charity bin is closed, EPA advised that you shoudln't leave your donations outside. Look for an alternative nearby, or revisit when the store is open.

Goods left outside op shops and charity bins often become waste, costing charities to clean up and dispose of.

“If you spot illegal dumping in NSW, you can report it at ridonline.epa.nsw.gov.au or to your local council,” Mr Kean said.