There’s been nearly 50% less litter in public places across NSW since 2021. This shows that more people are choosing to do the right thing and that our actions really do make a difference.
But there’s still some work to do. There is still, on average, a piece of litter for every step or two you take.
(Data from Litter Data Framework, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), 2023)
What is litter and why is it a problem?
Litter is any unwanted item that ends up in the wrong place — dropped on the ground, blown from bins, or left behind in parks, streets or waterways.
While most people do the right thing, littering remains a problem in our local area and across NSW. Even small pieces of litter can quickly add up, making public spaces look untidy and harming local wildlife and the environment. In coastal areas like Port Macquarie Hastings, litter can easily wash into drains and end up in our rivers and ocean.
Littering is illegal
Littering is an offence under NSW law and can result in fines, which can be issued by Council’s rangers and NSW EPA.
Find out more about litter laws on the NSW EPA website.
How you can help?
Keeping our public spaces and places clean is something we can all be proud of.
When we each do our part, and encourage others to do the same, we protect the places we love. Here are some simple ways to get involved and make a difference:
Reporting littering (including illegal dumping) helps keep our public places clean and sends a clear message that littering isn’t acceptable in our community.
To report general littering or dumped waste in public places, please contact Council.
Report littering
Report dumped waste
To report littering from vehicles, head to the NSW EPA website. You’ll need the vehicle’s number plate, location, date and time. Report littering from vehicles (EPA)
Our local skateparks are more than just places to skate - they’re community spaces that many young people already take pride in keeping clean.
Keep It Clean litter reduction campaign, co-designed with our local youth skating community, shines a light on that existing care and respect. Through local community engagement we heard that most littering in these spaces isn’t deliberate — and that many skaters already do their bit to look after the space. This campaign has been designed to highlight and amplify that care, encouraging the broader community to follow their lead.
Launched during Youth Week, the campaign features bold artwork designed by TOTEM Skateboarding and messaging designed to celebrate community pride and encourage all users of the space to play a part in keeping them clean and welcoming.
Learn more about the ‘Keep it Clean’ campaign on our education hub, ConnectEd PMH Keep It Clean: A New Drop for Cleaner Skate Spaces
Host an event: Whether you’re an individual, community group, workplace or school, hosting a Clean Up is a meaningful way to care for your local area and show leadership in your community. You’ll receive a free Clean Up Kit, planning tools, and Council support to dispose of collected waste. Events can be run any time of year - because looking after our environment isn't just for one day. Create a Clean Up
Join a Clean Up: It’s a great way to connect with others, protect the places you love, and be part of something bigger. Find a Clean Up
Encourage student action in your school or classroom: Clean Up activities help students connect with their environment, build lifelong habits, and see the impact of their efforts. Clean Up Australia, in partnership with Cool.org, offer a range of free teaching resources, updated each year and linked to the curriculum. School's Clean Up Australia Day Education Resources | Cool.org
It’s the small, everyday habits that can often make the biggest difference.
Take 3 for the Sea is an Australian not-for-profit that encourages you to pick up three pieces of litter every time you visit the beach, bush or park. It’s a simple way to protect the environment and show others it matters. Take 3 for the Sea
Schools can also access the free Ocean Classroom program — a set of lessons that teach students how to reduce plastic waste and protect the ocean.
Learning more is the first step to doing more. The “Don’t Be a Tosser” campaign from the NSW EPA has an online interactive activity that shows how litter affects nature and what you can do to help stop it.
Stay safe and report responsibly
Safety is important when taking action against litter. If you're cleaning up, wear gloves, stay visible near roads, and avoid picking up anything sharp or unsafe.
Found a needle or syringe? Don’t pick it up. Call Council on (02) 6581 8111 or the Needle Hotline on 1800 633 353 to arrange safe collection.
Roadside litter: For your safety, Council does not support clean-ups near roadsides. Please report roadside litter through our reporting page instead.
Our education programs and litter prevention work are part of the Waste and Resource Recovery Strategy 2024–2034, which sets out our long-term goals for reducing waste and building a circular economy.
You can also explore litter data, broader NSW litter campaigns, and the NSW Litter Prevention Strategy through the NSW EPA website.
Plastic makes up nearly 80% of litter in NSW
Snack wrappers, straws, takeaway containers and cigarette butts are some of the most common litter types
Almost 60% of marine litter comes from land-based sources
The NSW Government has set a target to reduce litter by 60% by 2030