Litter

Wildlife can become entangled in litter or mistake it for food and eat it, resulting in injury or death. Litter also affects water quality and recreational use of waterways. Discarded litter enters the estuary through the stormwater system and urban rivulets. 

80% of litter in our waterways is made of plastic such as plastic bags, plastic bottles and food wrappers. Most plastic objects never biodegrade, they just break down into smaller and smaller pieces. Plastic generally floats so it can be carried long distances in oceans and deposited on beaches all around the world.

Liquid litter such as paint and household chemicals contain toxins and chemicals that are hazardous to people and wildlife, and degrade water quality. Even when these products are diluted they should never be tipped down stormwater drains or dumped near waterways.

In Tasmania, littering is regulated via the Litter Act 2007, and the Litter (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2020 specify on-the-spot fines for offences in the Act. There is also a Litter Hotline to report littering, including items thrown from cars and boats.

In Tasmania, littering is regulated via the Litter Act 2007, and the Litter (Infringement Offences) Regulations 2020 specify on-the-spot fines for offences in the Act. There is also a Litter Hotline to report litter incidents, including items thrown from cars and boats. 

A combination of improved infrastructure (gross pollutant traps, water sensitive urban design and litter traps), public education, clean-up events, strategic placement of water refill stations and more rubbish bins at popular beaches are likely to decrease marine debris in the Derwent Estuary. 

With our partners, local business and community groups, the DEP regularly cleans up at sites across the estuary as part of Clean Up Australia Day. Bags and bags of rubbish, mostly plastics are removed by volunteers each time. However, the best way to help the Derwent is to prevent litter reaching it in the first place by reducing our use of single use plastics, as well as becoming involved in clean-up events.

The DEP also partners with several organisations to research the impact and management of litter and other emerging pollutants that affect the estuary.