Shellharbour City Council is proud to support the NSW Environmental Protection Authority's (NSW EPA) new Nature Hates a Tosser campaign, aimed at reducing litter across NSW and protecting wildlife and waterways.
Litter harms animals and pollutes our environment. Even one piece of small rubbish can make a big difference. The campaign uses powerful images of native animals like the Australian magpie and green sea turtle to show the damage litter can cause.
Caption: Nature Hates A Tosser campaign. Image courtesy of NSW EPA.
Every year, people in NSW throw away about 25,000 tonnes of litter. This costs the state around $500 million. Studies show that up to 90 per cent of seabirds have eaten plastic, and every sea turtle checked in a recent study had ingested plastic.
Shellharbour's local rollout aligns with Council's Litter Prevention Roadmap, which sets long-term goals to educate the community, protect bushland and waterways, and prevent litter through improved infrastructure and engagement. It includes clear targets, such as cutting littered items by 60 per cent by 2030 and reducing plastic litter by 30 per cent by 2025.
From May 2026, residents will see the campaign across Shellharbour through signage, digital messages, bin wraps and community engagement in public spaces and event spaces. The messages remind people to bin their rubbish, take it with them if no bin is nearby, and report littering.
Mayor Chris Homer encourages all residents to do their part by disposing of waste responsibly and helping keep Shellharbour clean.
"Shellharbour is a city that values its natural beauty and community spirit. Keeping our spaces clean isn't just about looking good. It's essential to protect our wildlife and ensure our coast and waterways remain safe for everyone," he said.
"We all have a role to play in keeping our community beautiful, safe and clean. If we bin it or take it with us, we can protect our environment and wildlife for future generations."
