Illegal Rubbish Dumping

SidLinx
May 28
3 min read

“Cars, half cars, boats, dinghies with holes in them; marijuana, just the pots and the stalks.” Reg Walker.

Illegal rubbish dumping is one of the most frustrating and ugly sights one can see. Over the years I have seen my share of it, mostly full rubbish bags and clothing, just dumped anywhere the owners think is a handy spot. Each time I see dumped rubbish; a tension rises within me as figuratively I throw my hands up in disappointment. I’m not the only one who has this feeling, many individuals, and councils in towns and cities, who deal with collecting and disposing of it, know the scope of the problem.

Growing Frustration Over Auckland's Illegal Dumping Problem

Illegal dumping is costing Auckland ratepayers millions of dollars. Reg Walker, a maintenance contracts provider for the city, has seen it all. He describes the illegally dumped rubbish he finds all over the city; diverse items, such as fridges, mattresses, domestic appliances, animal carcasses, car parts, and drugs and drug accessories.

Scale and Cost of Illegal Dumping

Auckland experiences over 1300 reports of illegal dumping each month, averaging more than 40 incidents daily. The Auckland Council spent $2.7 million in the 2024 financial year alone on collecting and disposing of this illegal waste, a figure that has increased by $200,000 annually since 2022.

Challenges of Remote Dumping Locations

Much of the illegal dumping occurs in secluded roadside areas, including reserves, parks, and undeveloped or non-residential zones, sometimes requiring specialized efforts like abseiling for collection.

Additional Costs Associated with Specific Waste

Oversized or hazardous items, such as pianos, asbestos, and oil, lead to additional expenses for the council, including the need for more personnel and specialized traffic management for collections on busy roads.

Council Initiatives to Address Illegal Dumping

The Auckland Council is actively trying to combat illegal dumping through measures like installing surveillance cameras, running awareness campaigns, and conducting scientific studies to deter offenders. Local charity I AM in South Auckland used a ‘name and shame’ strategy to stop illegal dumping around their town center. Auckland Council, waste management solutions head Justine Haves reported finding both legal and illegal contractors dumping rubbish. Auckland Council penalties do not include ‘naming and shaming.’

Enforcement and Its Effectiveness

In the first nine months of this year, 375 fines totaling $123,950 have been issued. While infringement notices can sometimes lead to the removal of dumped items by the responsible individuals, prosecution is challenging without concrete evidence.

Tyrewise Collection Service as a Solution

The introduction of the Tyrewise collection service last year provides a designated avenue for the disposal of unwanted tyres.

A National and International Problem.

New Zealand local councils throughout the country face similar challenges with illegal dumping. Northland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Gisborne amongst others deal with the issue in their own way. Australian territories, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia have all reported cases of Illegal dumping of rubbish.

Summary

Illegal dumping is an international problem that has serious consequences for the natural world. Both New Zealand and Australia are facing similar challenges with increasing rates of illegal dumping. The rising costs for local councils, charities, and environmental groups adds to the burdens of ratepayers. Various measures, including increased surveillance, public awareness campaigns, with stricter penalties, are implemented to combat the issue of the illegal dumping of rubbish.