Last updated: July 2026
Littering in NSW has dropped by 42% since 2018-19, and plastic litter specifically is down 45%. Those gains come from real behaviour change. Here are 8 practical actions that anyone in Sydney or NSW can take today, from switching what you carry to knowing your legal obligations under NSW law.
What the litter data tells us
Before getting to the 8 ways, it helps to know what is actually being littered in NSW.
The NSW EPA Key Littered Items Study (KLIS) tracks litter in urban estuaries quarterly across the state. The 2024-25 results:
- Takeaway and beverage items are the biggest contributor to litter density in NSW, at 24%
- Confectionery wrappers and snack bags are the most-littered individual item type at 19%
- Plastic makes up 74% of all litter by item count
- Container Deposit Scheme (CDS) eligible beverage containers account for 39% of total litter by volume, making them the single biggest contributor by volume
- Single-use plastic banned items fell from 15% of litter in 2018-19 to 5% in 2024-25. The NSW plastic bag ban works.
This tells us where individual behaviour has the most leverage: what you carry, what you buy, and what you do with your containers.
8 ways to stop littering
1. Switch to reusable bags, bottles and cups
Takeaway and beverage items are the biggest contributor to litter density in NSW, at 24%. The fix is simple infrastructure: a reusable bag in the car, a water bottle on the desk, a travel mug in the bag. The NSW plastic bag ban has already cut banned single-use items from 15% of litter to 5%. Personal substitution works at scale.
2. Use the Return and Earn Container Deposit Scheme
NSW's Container Deposit Scheme lets you return eligible cans, bottles and cartons for a 10-cent refund each. CDS-eligible containers account for 39% of NSW litter by volume, making them the largest single volume contributor. Keeping a small collection bag for containers and taking them to a Return and Earn point cuts one of the biggest sources of littered material. Find your nearest point at returnandearn.com.au.
3. Keep a rubbish bag in your car
Roadside litter is one of the most unnecessary and preventable environmental problems in NSW. A clip-on car bin or a simple bag on the back seat removes the decision entirely: wrappers, receipts and cups go in the bag rather than out the window. This is also important for legal reasons; see item 7.
4. Cover loads and secure your bin lid
Litter that is blown or washed from unsecured loads and bins is still legally "depositing litter" under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. A trailer without a cover net, or a wheelie bin with a broken lid, can generate litter you did not intend. Tie down loads and check lids before bin day.
5. Compost food scraps and organic waste
Food scraps thrown in the street or left at picnic sites are a litter pathway separate from the container/packaging problem. If you have a bin or garden space, composting kitchen waste keeps organic material out of the litter stream. Many NSW councils also now offer green organics FOGO bins. Check your council's waste calendar for collection days.
6. Pick it up
Picking up litter keeps public spaces cleaner for everyone. A bag on a regular park walk, beach clean-up, or stairwell pickup takes under a minute. Keep antiseptic wipes in your pocket.
7. Know what littering costs under NSW law
Littering in NSW is a criminal offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. On-the-spot penalty notice amounts are:
- Small item (unlit cigarette, small wrapper): $160 for an individual
- Other litter and litter thrown from a vehicle: $500 for an individual, $1,000 for a corporation
- Dangerous material (lit cigarette, e-cigarette, glass, lithium battery): $1,000 for an individual, $5,000 for a corporation
Maximum court-imposed penalties reach $5,000-$25,000 depending on the offence. If you see someone littering from a vehicle, you can report them via the NSW EPA's Report to EPA tool online. Reports must be made within 14 days.
8. Reduce packaging at source
Confectionery wrappers and snack bags are the single most-littered item in NSW at 19% of all counted items. Where you have a choice between a loose item and a heavily packaged one, the loose version generates less litter potential. Buying in larger quantities also reduces the number of individual wrappers in circulation. This is less about moralising and more about reducing the raw volume of packaging in your hands when you are outdoors.
When rubbish has built up beyond what a bin run can fix, Paul's Rubbish Removal clears residential and commercial loads across Sydney, same day when booked before 10am. Call 0407 125 125 or request a free quote on rubbish removal in Sydney.
Frequently asked questions about littering in NSW
Is littering illegal in NSW?
Yes. Littering is an offence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997. On-the-spot fines start at $160 for small items and rise to $500 for general litter or vehicle littering, and $1,000 for dangerous material such as a lit cigarette or e-cigarette.
What is the most littered item in NSW?
Confectionery wrappers and snack bags, accounting for 19% of all litter items counted in NSW's Key Littered Items Study for 2024-25. Takeaway and beverage items are the biggest category overall at 24%.
Has littering in NSW improved?
Yes, significantly. Total litter density in NSW fell by 42% between the 2018-19 baseline and 2024-25, and plastic litter specifically dropped by 45% over the same period. The NSW single-use plastic bans played a material role: banned single-use plastic litter (bags, cutlery, plates, straws and foam) is now 81% below pre-ban levels.
How do I report someone littering in NSW?
If you see someone throwing litter from a vehicle, you can report it via the NSW EPA's Report to EPA tool online. You need the vehicle registration, location and date of the incident, submitted within 14 days.
