$31m litter problem addressed at Summit

The government, industry and the community have come together to address one of Western Sydney’s most persistent, costly and preventable environmental challenges — litter.

Convened by the Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC), the Western Sydney Litter Summit invited senior representatives from the quick-service restaurant sector, supermarkets, service stations, shopping centres, transport authorities, councils, NSW Government agencies and environmental organisations.

The event was held on 30 April at Novotel Sydney West HQ and focused on practical, cross-sector solutions to stop litter before it enters the environment.

“WSROC’s latest regional litter assessment shows the costs of litter to Western Sydney councils have surged to $31 million annually — more than double since 2016/17,” said WSROC President Councillor Brad Bunting. “This is a growing financial and environmental burden, but it’s also entirely preventable.”

Participants explored a range of solutions, including better bin infrastructure, targeted education campaigns, and corporate-led initiatives to influence consumer behaviour through packaging design, in-store messaging and business practices.

The event also identified opportunities for shared responsibility and long-term collaboration between councils, corporations and government agencies.

“Councils are working with a number of businesses and organisations to collaborate on preventative litter actions, and we encourage the participation of major retailers and land managers across Western Sydney,” Bunting said.

Other highlights of the event included:

• Clean Up Australia Chair Pip Kiernan highlighting the power of collective action, reflecting on the 36-year success of Clean Up Australia Day in mobilising communities nationwide.
• NSW Member for Liverpool Charishma Kaliyanda MP reinforcing the importance of collaboration across government, industry and the community to address litter at its source.
   

“From packaging and store design to transport and operations, businesses have a powerful influence on whether litter is created in the first place,” Bunting said. “Simple actions — like reducing unnecessary packaging, improving bin access and embedding clear messaging — can make a significant difference.

“If we reduce litter, we can redirect millions of dollars into community infrastructure like playgrounds, footpaths and local facilities.”

Delivered on behalf of seven Western Sydney councils — Blacktown, Cumberland, Fairfield, Hawkesbury, Liverpool, Parramatta and The Hills Shire — the Summit forms part of WSROC’s Western Sydney Regional Litter Prevention Program, organised by the NSW Government through the NSW Environment Protection Authority Litter Prevention Program.

“The Western Sydney Litter Summit is an important step toward a cleaner, greener future,” Bunting said. “With strong collaboration and a shared vision, our region is well placed to lead litter prevention efforts across NSW.

“Keeping Western Sydney clean is everyone’s responsibility — and together, lasting change is within reach.”

Image credit: iStock.com/Julia Gomina