Littering and the illegal dumping of waste has the potential to cause health and safety risks for both people and the natural environment, it can:
Contain broken glass, syringes, nappies, medical waste and toxic substances like asbestos.
Attract rodents, insects and other vermin.
Provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes.
Block waterways and stormwater drains, increasing the potential for flooding and erosion.
Be a potential fire hazard.
Attract further dumping.
Other antisocial and illegal activities.
Decrease community pride and intensifies the problem.
Builds up next to roads, can block gutters and finds its way into creeks, rivers and onto beaches - it harms and kills wildlife for example, plastic waste can choke and suffocate birds and marine life.
Even unlikely materials such as soil and garden waste contributes to litter and dumping issues within Townsville by spreading pests and weeds, including fire ants and lantana.
Organic waste such as food scraps, contributes to algae blooms in waterways.
Cigarette butts comprise of 90% waste littered from a vehicle. Plastic cigarette filters end up in waterways and can be swallowed by marine animals. These animals will slowly choke to death. Cigarette butts littered from motor vehicles can also start bush fires - costing lives and damaging property.