Illegal dumping in east Auckland: We cannot keep going around in circles

Illegal dumping continues to be one of the most frustrating and visible issues facing many of our east Auckland communities, particularly around Flat Bush, Ormiston, Whitford and Clevedon.

Recently, I met with the dedicated team at the Beautification Trust, who provided me with a comprehensive overview of the illegal dumping challenges they deal with across south Auckland, along with some of the proactive solutions they have successfully implemented.

One option discussed was the possibility of the Howick Local Board funding the Beautification Trust services for two full days per week in our area, at an estimated cost of around $120,000 per year.

This would provide a far more proactive approach to education, engagement, reporting, and clean-up support.

However, after also meeting with Auckland Council’s compliance team, it became very clear to me that part of the challenge lies within the system itself.

Currently:

• Compliance teams deal with commercial illegal dumping
  • Waste Solutions deal with residential dumping

The reality on the ground is very different.

In areas such as Flat Bush, Ormiston, and surrounding areas we are seeing a mix of residential and commercial dumping.

The lines are often blurred, yet the system remains split between multiple departments and agencies.

Personally, I believe these functions should sit under one coordinated operational team.

At present there appears to be duplication and overlap in administration and processing.

I also know many Howick Local Board members have advocated for years to have our own Community Recycling Centre.

Despite being Auckland’s largest and fastest-growing areas, with significant population growth and council assets, we still do not have a dedicated recycling centre, while one is now planned for Drury not far from the current Manurewa facility.

Over the years many groups have worked hard to tackle this issue:

• Local board members
  • Councillors
  • Residents and ratepayer groups
  • Contractors
  • Police
  • Compliance teams
  • Waste Solutions
  • Beautification Trust
  • Community organisations

Yet despite years of discussion, meetings, and reports, the problem has not significantly improved. In many locations, it has become worse.

So what is the solution? The reality is there is no single silver bullet.

Illegal dumping is not simply a rubbish problem. It is also an education issue, an enforcement issue, a social issue, and, in some cases, a cultural issue.

After speaking with multiple organisations and community groups, I believe the solution needs several components working together.

Education

We need stronger education campaigns delivered in multiple languages, including:

• English
  • Mandarin
  • Hindi

Many residents genuinely do not understand:

• Where certain items can be disposed of safely
  • How to dispose of large household items
  • The environmental impacts of illegal dumping
  • The costs to ratepayers
  • The recycling options already available

For some people, illegal dumping has unfortunately become learned behaviour over generations or comes from countries where waste management systems operate very differently to New Zealand.

Better enforcement

Compliance officers need stronger enforcement tools and better coordination between departments.

People need to understand there are real consequences for illegally dumping rubbish.

Practical support

Community groups consistently raise several contributing factors:

• Large households generating more waste
  • Cost barriers to disposal
  • Lack of transport to disposal facilities
  • Language barriers
  • Limited awareness of recycling and disposal options
  • Transient living arrangements
  • Businesses attempting to avoid commercial disposal costs

Money is not always the primary reason people dump rubbish illegally.

Sometimes it is convenience. Sometimes it is a lack of education.

Sometimes it is poor systems. Sometimes it is cultural habits.

Sometimes people simply do not know where to go.

That is why enforcement alone will never solve the problem. We need a coordinated approach

What became very clear through all these discussions is that we cannot continue going around in circles.

By Bo Burns, Howick Ward Councillor