This post is a bit of a departure from what I normally write about but I’m writing it because I’m so cranky! But mainly I’m writing it because I want everyone to help Stop Illegal Rubbish Dumping and Littering.
Recently I wrote a post about Caring for our Camping Environment. In that post I mentioned the need for us to take our rubbish with us. A couple of weeks ago, we were heading out to Springbrook National Park for the day. We stopped on the side of the road to take some pictures when I spotted a pile of rubbish. Now this rubbish looked to me as if it had been swept out of someones car. It was laying in quite a neat pile.
What really angered me was this rubbish contained two dirty nappies. Now I don’t know about you, but when my kids were little I carried plastic nappy sacks to put my dirty nappies in. They had a pleasant scent to them and generally disguised the smell of a dirty nappy until I could get home and pop them in the bin. (This is also not the first time I have picked up nappies!)
ALL TO COMMON
The trouble is the scenario I have described above is becoming more and more common place. At least once a week we see pictures posted on Facebook and various camping and caravanning forums depicting dumped rubbish.
I always carry some bags to use for rubbish in our car so I grabbed a bag and filled it up. It took me all of thirty seconds and I just took it home and put it in our bin. But the point is – I shouldn’t have had to!
People are continually complaining about how free camps and bush camps are being shut down. But in many instances the illegal dumping of rubbish is one of the reasons this is occurring. Not only is it costly – someone has to be paid to clean it up but it is detrimental to our wildlife and our waterways.
Often it’s just one group of people who get blamed for dumping rubbish, but we know from experience that it is often locals, as we have found rubbish in areas that very few other people would know about.
We live in a world now where we have access to so much that is not recyclable or reusable. People have become complacent or just plain lazy. I have even seen household goods dumped on the side of the road only a few kilometres from a council tip. Now I know some councils charge a fee for some waste items but Gold Coast City Council doesn’t.
IF YOU TAKE IT IN, TAKE IT OUT
To my way of thinking, it really is that simple. If you take something in to a campsite, take it back out when you leave. Always carry rubbish bags with you.
If you are worried about bags leaking in your car invest in a Wheel Bin Bag. A wheel bin bag attaches to your spare tyre and zips closed. It is ideal for putting rubbish in and stops any of our wildlife getting into your rubbish as well. At around the $60.00 to $80.00 mark I think it’s a great investment.
If you are just out for a day or maybe going on a bush walk, large clip seal bags are great for rubbish as again they don’t leak.
Also consider what packaging you are taking with you. Can you open food items and leave the outer packaging at home thereby reducing the rubbish you need to bring back home?
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
So what can you do to help address this problem? For starters, set a good example, especially to your kids. Teach them from a young age that it is not okay to leave rubbish behind or dump rubbish illegally in the bush or anywhere else.
Another great way you can help is to get involved with the Clean Up Australia Day initiative. I know that there are already many four-wheel drive clubs that get involved, especially in places like Fraser Island, for example.
HOW CAN YOU STOP ILLEGAL RUBBISH DUMPING?
What can you do if you see someone illegally dumping rubbish?
My advice is to just observe what is occurring. I would not recommend approaching anyone and tackling them about what they are doing. Sadly, these days you just don’t know how people may react. I would suggest doing the following:-
- Take a picture with your phone.
- Record registration number/s, time, date and location.
- If you are unable to take photos record a description of the people and their vehicles.
- Make a report to the relevant authorities.
- Should a prosecution of offenders occur, be prepared to give evidence at Court. This may well act as a deterrent to others.
There are a number of different places that you can report rubbish dumpers to. This might include the local council of the area you are in, a staff member from National Parks and Wildlife or the local Police. In most states you can also report rubbish dumpers to the state Environmental Protection Agency, as listed below.
New South Wales – EPA
Victoria – EPA
Queensland – EHP
Western Australia – KABC
Tasmania – EPA
Northern Territory – EPA
You can report incidents of rubbish dumping on-line and some places now have apps available for your phone.
Together I know we can help to stop illegal rubbish dumping and littering and keep Australia beautiful.
Listen in to their podcast episode https://allaroundoz.com.au/podcasts/travelling-and-working-around-australia/
Hear Hear!
So very well said. I recall, back in the day, where we had the Keep Australia Beautiful campaign all over the telly & public places to really educate everyone. It was in people’s faces that to litter was just not cool & plain Un-Australian to ruin our gorgeous landscape.
I will never understand people who go out to enjoy our nature & then trash it.
Maybe it’s time we bought back the Keep Australia Beautiful Campaign because at the moment it seems an awful lot of people have forgotten that message.
I can’t stand people who litter. I wonder what they think is going to happen to it? I often want to say something when I see people dropping litter, but you’re right, you never know how people are going to react so it’s best to pick it up yourself (if it’s small!) or call the authorities if it’s significant. Thanks for the reminder!
I frequently have to bite my tongue…..in a lot of situations! Sometimes I just try and give people my best evil stare and hope they get the message.
Gosh I just don’t understand why people dump or leave rubbish in national parks or public places. It’s no effort to put rubbish in a bag and put in a bin provided or take home to put in a bin there. As for disposable nappies – I used those scented bags that you mentioned when my kids were little too. I too pick up rubbish I see lying around when I go bush walking or even walking on a beach. I can’t stand not to! Great post and tips on what to do if you see illegal rubbish dumping! #TeamLovinLife
I’ve just read a post on Facebook alleging that some people left their rubbish in a shopping trolley including their empty meat trays, after packing the food into their van. It seriously cannot be that hard to find a bin!!!!
We pick up any rubbish we find laying around the place when we are on our adventures. It is disappointing that not everyone can do the right thing.
Yes we do it to. Even little bits like bread tags I will pick up!