Perth city is famous for its cleanliness, parks, and natural landscapes. Keeping them clean is everyone’s responsibility. Illegal dumping of waste can damage your surrounding community and the environment.

Illegal dumping can include domestic garbage, old furniture, mattresses, grass clippings, green waste, building materials, appliances, other general waste, or unwanted items.

Western Australian laws regulate how waste is kept, transported, and disposed of, with penalties ranging from notice or court costs to a significant court-imposed penalty.

If you’re a homeowner, landlord, business owner, or property manager, the best advice is to think about your waste disposal needs before you start your renovation or clean-up.

Illegal Dumping Waste Rules in Perth

Knowing the rules is the first step towards preventing illegal dumping waste and creating a better place to live.

It follows a rule: “Don’t put your rubbish where you can’t!”

You can’t dump waste anywhere in Western Australia. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) investigates illegal dumping and can take enforcement action under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

Examples of commonly dumped waste include old furniture and mattresses, domestic household waste, grass cuttings, plants and green waste, discarded building materials, brick and rubble, timber and plasterboard, tires, scrap metal, white goods/small appliances, and commercial and industrial waste.

Just because a site looks vacant and unused doesn’t mean it is a legal dump site. Always use a licensed waste facility or service when removing large quantities of waste from a move, renovation, property clear-out, or your business.

By using services like JunkLift, property owners are less likely to take their junk to an unauthorized site.

How Much Is the Fine for Illegal Dumping in Perth?

Illegal Dumping Waste may cost you more than proper disposal.

An Environmental Protection Act 1986 conviction for illegal and serious dumping of waste may result in fines of up to AUD 62,500 (per person) / AUD 125,000 (per body corporate).

The nature and severity of the offense determine sentences.

Dropping of waste also incurs separate penalties; see the Western Australia Government website for current penalty amounts.

• Individual: AUD 200
• Corporation: AUD 500
• Individual dangerous litter: AUD 500
• Corporation dangerous litter: AUD 2,000

Court penalties can be higher. These figures indicate why illegal dumping waste can never be considered a shortcut-free option.

Illegal Dumping Can Damage Perth’s Environment

The illegal dumping problem does not only lead to fines. Illegal dump sites can also become environmental or social issues: ‘Bush litter’ can be a breeding ground for rodents and insects, can develop bad odors, and can make a public space unsafe to use.

Additional risks:

Some waste may pose even greater risks, including broken glass, sharp metal, chemicals, asbestos, and other hazardous materials that can harm humans and pets.

Dumped waste also poses risks of contamination to soil, drains, surface and groundwater, and local wildlife. Because of these risks, authorities prosecute waste offenses; DWER has enforcement powers and receives and investigates reports of unauthorized waste dumping. These reports may include photographs, vehicle details, CCTV footage, or any other evidence.

How to Report Illegal Dumping in Perth

If you want to learn how to report illegal dumping, these tips can help members of our neighborhood watch.

If illegal waste dumping is observed, reporting the dumping will aid in prosecution.

The Western Australian Government has services that monitor pollution. A Pollution Watch service allows you to report any pollution incident or serious environmental matter to the relevant authority.

You can contact this service via the 24-hour after-hours Pollution Watch hotline, and you should contact it for serious illegal dumping.

The number is:

1300 784 782

Supply as many of the necessary and helpful details as you know when you call.

What useful information to note or collect:

• Exact location
• Date and approximate time of the offense
• What waste was discarded?
• Vehicle registration number of vehicle used (if available)
• Make and model of vehicle (if available);
• Color of vehicle
• Description of person/people responsible
• Photos or video recording; if made safely

Never put yourself in harm’s way to gather evidence that dumping is occurring illegally.

Common Types of Waste Dumped in Perth

Almost anything discarded can be classified as illegal trash dumping. Generally, there are some types of waste, which are more widely disposed of than others:

Household Waste

During clean-outs (e.g. moving house, house sale, or general house clearance), dumped rubbish removal usually includes furniture, mattresses, cardboard boxes, and electrical appliances (especially those that still contain refrigerant). This needs to be transported to a transfer station or landfill, or removed by an approved waste disposal company.

Garden and green waste

Such as branches, leaves, and soil, is sometimes dumped in bushland. Even natural-looking waste can damage an environment and should be removed by taking it to an appropriate option.

Renovation waste

Timber, tiles, plasterboard, bricks, etc. can generate large volumes of waste.

Commercial waste

Such as packaging, furniture, office equipment, and building materials, may be generated by commercial operators. Commercial companies should have well-thought-out waste management procedures and be required to take their waste to designated disposal sites.

How to Avoid Illegal Dumping of Waste

It is much easier to avoid illegal dumping of waste by planning. There are simple actions you can take:

Know Your Waste.

Different types of waste require different methods of disposal, so the first step is to distinguish between: general rubbish, recyclables, green waste, bulk waste and building waste.

Check Disposal Sites:

Before taking your rubbish with you, check if your local council or accepted waste facility receives this material. You can’t just turn up with any waste.

Organize Bulk Waste Pick-Up:

Furniture, mattresses, white goods, builders’ rubbish and the general debris created by any rebuilding works are heavy to move. Several local businesses, such as “JunkLift“, provide the transport services you need to take your rubbish to an approved waste site.

Secure Rubbish Whilst In Transit:

If you happen to be driving to an accepted waste site or tip with rubbish, secure it well to avoid any material falling onto public areas as a result of the road. This could cause injury or damage or result in penalties.

Maintain business records:

Businesses must have proper records in relation to moving and disposing of waste and keep those records where such maintenance of records may be appropriate.

Why Professional Waste Removal Can Be a Better Option?

Waste removal can be time-consuming when clearing large amounts. Additional factors include the need for appropriate transport, protective clothing, labor, and knowledge of disposal methods. JunkLift can help ease the burden of waste disposal.

Professional clearance is most useful if you have moved house, done renovations, had a property clear-out, are doing business clearing, have a garage clear-out, have worked on gardening projects, or changed a tenanted property.

With the JunkLift service, customers should consider what types of waste will accept, how long the service will take to collect the waste, and how they will be billed?

A good option for customers is to check the local dumping grounds.

By using a reliable company, you also avoid dumping rubbish illegally and can save precious time!

Mistakes to Avoid When Disposing of Waste

Don’t make small mistakes that turn into big waste issues.

Here are a few to avoid:

1-      Putting it on the side of the road:

Never assume that if you put unwanted furniture on the side of the road, someone will be able to take it. Call your council before leaving anything on the verges, and check how you are supposed to dispose of it.

2-      Dropping garden waste in the bushes:

Although green waste may not cause damage and may be useful to surrounding plants, it can contribute to weeds and pests and could impact our bushland. Always utilize a green waste collection or drop-off facility.

3-      Hiring an untrusted junk remover:

Ensure the person removing your junk and rubbish actually disposes of it properly. Ask what they do with your rubbish once collected, and whether they dispose of it responsibly.

4-      Throwing hazardous waste into the general bin:

Hazardous materials need specific disposal methods. If you are not sure how to dispose of something, call your local council or the appropriate waste disposal or rubbish tip.

5-  Ignoring a small pile of trash:

Don’t think a small number of rubbish items will fly under the radar; even this can result in an illegal dumping offense if you dump it in an illegal spot. Always dispose of it correctly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Illegal Dumping Waste

What is the dumping of waste?

Disposing of a large quantity of waste where it should not be is considered an offense. Depending on the situation,various laws and penalties may apply to the individual concerned.

Will I be charged criminally?

With illegal dumping in Perth? Yes, you could be charged criminally for serious unauthorized waste disposal under Western Australian environmental law. The penalty for several offenses can be as high as AUD 62,500 and AUD 125,000, respectively, for an individual and a corporation upon conviction.

Can I dump old furniture in the bushland?

No. Bushland is not an automatic collection and disposal site. Take furniture to a disposal site or use a service that removes it.

Where do you dispose of renovation waste?

Sort the waste out and find an authorized recycling center before you start the project. If it’s a larger job, you can arrange a pickup with professionals who specialize in managing this type of waste.

Can I report someone dumping rubbish?

You can. If you see what you think could be serious dumping, please report it to the WA authorities in your area. Give as much detail as possible:

• Location of the dump
• Time the dump occurred
• Type of waste dumped
• Vehicle registration and make if it is safe for you to obtain these details.

Can I throw my waste out of my vehicle?

Unsecured loads pose a risk to public safety and are subject to penalties. Always secure all rubbish, furniture, building materials, and other loads before transport.

Final Summary

Illegal dumping of waste can harm the local environment in Perth, increase safety risks, attract pests and result in substantial fines. The safest and most appropriate option for waste removal is to use an authorized waste facility or an appropriate waste collection service.

Formulate a disposal plan before starting house clean-up, renovation work, or a project at your residence, garden, or workplace; organize disposal first.

In addition, if you have large, unwanted items, book waste removal rather than leaving them somewhere they don’t belong, as this could pose serious risks.

Bear in mind the impacts of illegal waste dumping. Therefore, investing some time to organize your waste service will be far less troublesome than dealing with difficulties.