SKIP BIN OPERATOR ORDERED TO CLEAN UP BACKYARD WASTE DUMP
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
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A North Coast skip bin business has been ordered to remove hundreds of tonnes of illegally dumped waste from the operator’s rural property near Grafton.
Officers from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), supported by NSW Police, executed a search warrant at the premises in May 2026 as part of an investigation into land pollution.
Drone surveillance, waste sampling and laboratory analysis found that contaminated waste, including asbestos and mixed construction and demolition materials, had been dumped at the site since 2022.
The EPA has issued a Clean-up Notice to the landowner, requiring more than 320 tonnes of waste to be removed and lawfully disposed of by 2 November 2026.
“Businesses paid to collect waste have a responsibility to ensure it ends up at facilities legally authorised to receive it,” an EPA spokesperson said.
"Some of the waste collected through this skip bin operation was instead stockpiled on the owner’s property, including asbestos, furniture, synthetic turf, gyprock, scrap metal, timber, and material contaminated with elevated levels of lead.
“This behaviour shows a complete disregard for the environment and the Clarence Valley community.
“The land is on a tributary of the Clarence River, which is used for agriculture, swimming and fishing. It’s an area of high ecological value and dumping waste so close to a sensitive waterway is unacceptable. Waste doesn’t always stay where it’s dumped.
“People hire skip bin companies expecting their waste will be taken to the right place – not discarded on private land to avoid disposal costs.
"We will continue to monitor compliance with the Clean-up Notice while our investigation continues."
Community reports play a crucial role in tackling illegal dumping. Anyone who witnesses suspected dumping is encouraged to report it to the EPA's Environment Line at [email protected] or through the RIDonline service.
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