Motivations for kerbside dumping: Evidence from Brisbane, Australia

Illegal dumping of waste on kerbsides outside residences is a problem in many urban areas around the world. Despite this, there has been little research undertaken on the reasons behind the practice or the barriers to alternative, legal disposal mechanisms. This study interviewed householders in Brisbane, Australia in an attempt to fill this gap. The interviews revealed that kerbside dumping is a complex behaviour with a variety of motivations. Unlike many other illegal activities, participants and observers of kerbside dumping did not necessarily realise that what they were doing was illegal. They also identified many positive benefits such as sharing items with other people. In addition, some residents felt they had no choice even though they were aware that it was illegal. For them, barriers such as lack of transport to the waste disposal facility and lack of storage until the official kerbside collection meant that the practice continued.