One man's decision could have had an enormous impact on his neighborhood and the local environment.

Robert Wakefield of Glenside in Adelaide, Australia, was fined several thousands of dollars for dumping volatile chemicals into a neighborhood gutter, according to ABC News.

Gutters are designed to collect excess rainwater, which then funnels into underground storm drains that lead to waterways like rivers and oceans. Since the gutters are meant for rainwater only, the water arrives in waterways untreated, which is why illegal dumping into gutters is so dangerous. 

Wakefield dumped "a significant disposal" of liquid into the gutters, resulting in "elevated levels of chemicals including 'volatile hydrocarbons,' consistent with the presence of paint thinner or similar solvents," presiding Judge Nicolas Alexandrides said, per ABC.

It left locals experiencing "headaches, nausea and burning sensations in the nose and eyes."

While tests came back with "extremely high" levels of hydrocarbons, officials found no evidence of long-lasting environmental harm. 

Still, there was still potential for severe environmental harm — to people, marine life, and surrounding plants.

While Wakefield apologized for his behavior, labeling it a mistake, Judge Alexandrides upheld justice and fined Wakefield AU$13,500 (US$8,796). 

"I accept that you regret your conduct, despite what I consider to be a lack of insight into the seriousness of your behavior and your ongoing minimization of real responsibility," Alexandrides said, per ABC.

Unfortunately, illegal dumping is not uncommon. Littering is the most common form of illegal dumping — tens of billions of pieces of trash are littered each year, polluting waterways and harming wildlife.

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Companies often engage in illegal dumping to save time or money. One U.K. waste company dumped millions of tons of waste alongside a conservation site to save millions of dollars in proper disposal.

In the United States, a pottery store in California faced public outrage and city fines after dumping non-toxic, water-based glaze into the gutter. 

Improper waste management is one of our planet's biggest environmental issues. Each year, humans produce over two billion pounds of waste. 

Much of this waste cannot be adequately recycled: plastic, batteries, chemicals, tires, and more. Some of this waste can be easily recycled, but it isn't done so reliably, like glass and aluminum. As a result, our landfills get bigger, our oceans become dirtier, and our planet suffers.

It's easy to make a difference — never litter. Other climate-conscious actions, such as recycling, upcycling, and donating your old stuff, are great ways to reduce waste and help protect our planet. 

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