EPA Victoria is warning residents that illegal waste dumping is on the rise, and it is everyone’s responsibility to keep an eye on where their skip bin loads of renovation waste and hard rubbish are going.

EPA Southwest Regional Manager Carolyn Francis says there are waste operators who deliberately undercut legitimate waste removal companies with suspiciously low prices, then avoid the cost of disposal by dumping the waste illegally.

“If you’ve hired a skip bin business to collect your household or demolition waste, there are ways you can check that they are following the rules that stop it becoming a fire hazard, a source of pollution or an eyesore.”

The rules reduce the risk of fire with stockpile size limits and separation distances and ensure proper disposal through licensed recycling and landfill facilities, so the waste won’t turn up in the bush, a creek or even a suburban street.

“Licensed facilities give the skip bin company paperwork to show the waste went where it should go. You can protect yourself and the environment by asking the skip bin company to show they have paperwork from other loads,” Ms Francis said.

When the waste is dumped illegally it leaves the taxpayer, the landowner or sometimes even the unsuspecting customer to pay for the clean-up. The Victorian Government and local councils spend more than $30 million a year on cleaning up the mess.

“Do your research and make sure they’re a legitimate business and be wary of those advertised on Facebook or Airtasker. Watch out for suspiciously cheap prices and ask the operator to show you the receipts they get from licensed recycling or landfill facilities,” Ms Francis said.

“Those receipts are a reassurance that your waste won’t be dumped in a park, a creek or on someone else’s property in the middle of the night,” she said.

Members of the public can report dumped waste or suspicious skip bin operators by calling EPA’s 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution

“Your call can be anonymous and the information you provide can help EPA Victoria to protect your community and the environment from illegal dumping,” Ms Francis said.

The EPA website has advice for anyone hiring a skip bin epa.vic.gov.au/for-community/how-to/hire-skip-bin