Litter is any waste that has not been disposed of properly, meaning virtually anything can become litter! It can pose risks to the environment, harm wildlife, be an economic burden, and lower the amenity value of a public space.
Litter management
Tips to help prevent litter
1. Take your rubbish with you
If there’s no bin nearby, please take your rubbish home. Leaving it behind can harm wildlife and pollute our parks and streets.
2. Don’t overfill bins
If the bin is full, adding more can cause rubbish to spill out or blow away. It’s better to find another bin or take it with you.
3. Keep your yard tidy
Loose items like packaging or garden waste can easily blow into the street and become litter. A quick tidy-up makes a big difference!
4. Secure your rubbish at home.
Make sure your rubbish bags are tied securely before adding them to your bin so that loose items can’t fall out and become litter
5. Clear stormwater pits
Removing leaves, litter, and debris from stormwater drains helps prevent flooding and keeps the system working properly.
6. Join a community cleanup
Getting involved in a local cleanup event is a great way to meet neighbours and make a positive impact
7. Dispose of hard rubbish properly
Make sure items are secure and don’t include regular household waste. Loose items can easily become litter.
Report litter, dumped rubbish or an overflowing bin
Another way to help keep our City clean is by reporting litter or waste related incidents when you see them.
You can also report to Environment Protection Authority Victoria (EPA) if you notice:
- Someone littering from a vehicle
- Commercial and industrial waste like dumped building materials or unmarked barrels.
- Water pollution from chemicals or sediment running off a site.
- Other types of dumped rubbish on non-Council land. See more information here.
If you’re unsure about who to report to, feel free to contact us to make sure.
Council’s Role in Litter Management
We provide a variety of services to ensure our neighbourhoods and activity centres are kept litter free.
Street sweeping
Residential streets are swept monthly, while busy areas like shopping precincts and transport hubs may be swept several times a week.
Waste and hard rubbish collection
Regular waste disposal and scheduled hard rubbish pickups help residents manage waste responsibly.
Litter law enforcement
Council enforces local litter laws under Section 56 to help prevent littering
Regional collaboration
Since February 2024, Glen Eira has partnered with Melbourne Water, EPA Victoria, and the Councils of Bayside and Port Phillip to tackle litter across our shared waterways and public space – see what the Elster Creek Litter Collaboration is up to.
Together, we can create a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Glen Eira for everyone.
