There are better ways to find a new home for unwanted items instead of leaving them outside hoping someone will wander by and take them.
Whatever the motivation, it’s never appropriate to leave unwanted items on the kerb or berm. This is illegal dumping.
If you find that you’re consistently having more waste than fits in your bin, you may be able to order a larger or additional rubbish or recycling bin. Leaving excess waste next to a kerbside bin is treated as illegal dumping and will not be picked up by your collector. Instead, you may be fined for leaving it there.
Councillor Stewart Chair of the Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee says, “We all have a part in looking out for our community and ensuring that we report anyone who is seen illegally dumping.”
“The community can discretely take a photo of vehicles and persons and report using Auckland Council’s 0800 NO DUMP line.”
Councillor Stewart encourages: “If we all work together to try and find solutions, we can minimise this problem.
"It’s great to see people helping each other out, whether that’s hiring a skip, or doing a neighbourhood yard sale, or asking around if someone needs the unwanted items. Neighbours working together have found creative solutions.”
Councillor Linda Cooper, Chair of the Regulatory Committee, says, “People caught leaving items anywhere outside of their property face instant fines of $400 and may be prosecuted up to $30,000. It pays to be responsible with your waste.”
“If a contractor is offering to get rid of items for rock bottom prices, please ask them about their disposal methods. Unfortunately, there are some people who will take your money to remove items, only to dump them somewhere else in your neighbourhood. This also happens with garden waste services. We’ve prosecuted several people for doing this and will continue seeking resolution this way,” says Councillor Cooper.
If you’ve got a big yard to keep up with, consider ordering a green waste bin from a private company or getting started with home composting.
People who see illegal dumping should contact Auckland Council immediately with as much information as possible, including times and dates, and descriptions of the offenders. If known, a vehicle registration is very helpful. Home security footage has been useful in prosecutions of illegal dumpers because it can capture the vehicle and who was driving it.
People can report dumped material to the council by phone to 0800 NO DUMP (0800 66 3867), which operates 24 hours 7 days a week, or by email to inthebin@aklc.govt.nz. We will investigate the matter and may issue instant fines or prosecute the person or business responsible.
There are some ways to make your household waste more manageable.
Stretch the time between trips to the grocery store and save yourself money using these practical food-saving tips from Auckland Council and Love Food Hate Waste.
Use the “recycle right” game with your household to get everyone placing their grocery items from the kitchen, bathroom, and laundry into the recycling bin instead of letting them go to landfill.
Drop off your soft plastics like bread bags, chip packs, biscuit bags, frozen foods bags, courier packs, bubble wrap, and similar items. These can be recycled into specialty products within New Zealand. Find a drop-off spot near you.