More than 320 metric tons (352 U.S. tons) of waste has been dumped illegally on a rural property outside Grafton in New South Wales, including asbestos.
Now the business behind the drop-off has to clean up the mess.
The case points to a business practice that can leave communities paying the price when companies cut corners on disposal.
Here's what to know
The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority told the landowner to remove the waste from the property and take it to a lawful disposal facility by November 2, Ballina News Daily reported. NSW Police helped the agency serve a warrant at the site that same month, as investigators looked into alleged land pollution, the outlet reported.
The outlet reported that drone footage, waste sampling, and lab testing pointed to contaminated material accumulating there since 2022. The site held a mix of asbestos, furniture, turf, gyprock, scrap metal, and timber, along with material showing elevated lead levels, per the outlet.
Hazardous materials such as asbestos and lead can pose environmental and health risks if mishandled, while large illegal dumps can also attract pests, create fire hazards, and contaminate land and waterways.
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In a statement, an agency spokesperson said, "This behavior 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."
More background
People and businesses rent skip bins expecting their trash will be handled safely and legally.
When that does not happen, pollution near a river system can threaten recreational water use, harm ecosystems, and create problems for farming communities that depend on clean land and water. It can also drive up cleanup costs for property owners and strain public resources when regulators and police have to step in.
What's being done?
Regulators have answered with a Clean-up Notice ordering the waste hauled off the property and taken to a legal facility by the November deadline.
The agency said it will keep tracking compliance with the notice as its investigation continues, and so far has kept the company's name under wraps.
As the spokesperson put it, "People hire skip bin companies expecting their waste will be taken to the right place, not discarded on private land to avoid disposal costs."
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