Green Waste

Green waste is general garden waste such as plants, palm fronds, tree and lawn clippings. The illegal dumping of green waste, organic waste such as food scraps, or soil in natural areas, waterways and other land can have devastating environmental impacts and cost millions of dollars to clean up.

How to dispose of your green waste correctly

Take your separated green waste to your local waste transfer station or your closest commercial green waste recycling facility or, contact a local garden waste removal company.

There are many benefits to using green or organic wastes at home

• Recycling your green waste by composting reduces waste to landfill and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Using compost on your home garden can improve soil and plant health.
• Using green waste as a mulch protects soils from erosion, reduces weeds and plant stress, and helps to prevent water evaporation from the soil.

Illegal dumping can seriously threaten the regions primary industries, natural environment, livestock, human health and peoples’ livelihoods.

Some impacts include:

• introducing pest plants that can outcompete native plant species, smothering them and overtaking natural areas.
• infesting and blocking watercourses, contaminating waterways and smothering surfaces.
• introducing pest animals or diseases into new areas (fire ants, myrtle rust).
• blocking forest tracks and fire trails in natural areas that risk the lives of firefighters and members of the public.
• creating increased bush fire fuel loads or ignition sources.
• attracting wildlife to roadsides to feed on organic waste, and increasing the likelihood they will be hit by cars.

Illegal dumping is an offence and penalties apply

The cost of taking green waste to the local waste facility is much less than the penalty for your wallet and the environment.

Fines for illegal dumping are more than:

• $2,500 for an individual and up to $161,300 in court
• $8,000 for a corporation and up to $806,500 in court