Put rubbish in the bin
Watch the film
Our latest litter heroes
A gross problem
Rainfall on hard surfaces like footpaths, roofs and roads, runs off into stormwater drains, washing pollution from streets into creeks and rivers. Litter pollution in waterways is poisoning our environment.
A healthy environment is vital for human health, safety and wellbeing. Zero litter in the Georges River means a healthier and safer river for people to enjoy, and the survival of the plants and animals that depend on it.
95% of the pollution in the Georges River comes from stormwater runoff.
Source: Georges River Combined Councils’ Committee, “Georges River Estuary Coastal Zone Management Plan” 2013, p22
Litter isn’t just rubbish. Anything not disposed of properly can become litter.
Litter includes plastics, paper, cans, cigarette butts, green waste such as garden clippings and soil, organic waste such as food scraps and dog poo, chemicals, oils, detergents, fertilisers, and building materials.
Source: https://kab.org.au/research/
By 2050, it’s estimated that the amount of plastic in the oceans will outweigh fish.
Source: Ellen McCarthur Foundation, 2017, as cited in DAWE, 2021. Ellen McCarthur Foundation, “The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking The Future Of Plastics and Catalysing Action” (2017) page 10. As cited in DAWE 2021, National Plastics Plan 2021, Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, Canberra, December. CC BY 4.0.
You eat about a credit card of plastic per week
Plastics don’t break down, they break up into small pieces called microplastics that stay in the environment for centuries and can enter food webs, even ending up in our food!
Source: Investigators from the University of Newcastle and Macquarie University as cited in Eccelston, R. (2021, October 23-24). Are microplastics making us sic. The Weekend Australian.
‘Natural’ pollution can be nasty.
Increased nutrients from dog poo, green waste, soil and sediment can cause toxic algae in waterways which can make people sick or kill them. It can kill fish and other animals too.
Drains to waterways
Unlike water that goes down a toilet or sink, stormwater does not go through a water treatment facility before it flows into the Georges River. Everything that goes down the street drain could end up in our creeks and rivers.
Watch the video
Trapping gross pollution
GPTs are Gross Pollutant Traps installed by your local council to help stop some of the larger litter ending up in waterways. They do not capture microplastics, chemicals or pathogens. There are many different types of GPTs. GPTs can quickly get full and stop working, especially if there’s been lots of rain.
Watch the videoHow to be a litter quitter
Keep bin lids closed
Rake leaves and grass clippings into a green waste bin
Pick up your dog’s poo
Use your council’s E-waste and Chemical CleanOut services
Wash your car on the grass or use low-phosphorus detergent
Be like Zero. Make your pledge
Get a photo with Zero and pledge to create zero litter. Snap and share it.
Make a pledgeTell your friends
Lesson plans for schools
Free, online lessons developed by professional environmental educators to help your school community reduce litter in your local area.
Get resourcesGet a selfie with Zero
Make your pledge to reaching Zero Litter in Georges River with Zero the turtle.
- Use your phone to scan the QR code
- Launch the App
- Take a selfie with Zero
- Share it with your friends #ZeroLitterInGeorgesRiver
Latest News
Georges Riverkeeper is thrilled to announce that the Zero Litter in Georges River project has been honoured as the winner in the Litter Prevention / Clean Waterways category at the prestigious Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW) 2023 Sustainable Cities Awards.
Sponsored by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA), this award recognises Georges Riverkeeper’s commitment to preserving the health of the Georges River and is a testament to its catchment-wide approach.
Posted: 16 October, 2023
The Zero Litter in Georges River project has reached a significant milestone, concluding the school education and community engagement phase with resounding success. This collaborative initiative, bringing together six primary schools from Como, Minto, Wattle Grove, Bossley Park, Connells Point, and Georges Hall, has made a lasting impact on the local community. Here’s a brief overview of the accomplishments, inspiration, and commitment that have shaped this unique project.
Posted: 09 October, 2023
Georges Riverkeeper is proud to announce its selection as a Finalist in the Keep Australia Beautiful NSW (KAB NSW) 2023 Sustainable Cities Awards.
Georges Riverkeeper has been recognised in the Litter Prevention / Clean Waterways category, sponsored by the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for the Zero Litter in Georges River project.
Posted: 18 September, 2023
Georges Riverkeeper in collaboration with students from St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Georges Hall and artist Corey Nichols, aka Born Ready Artist, has unveiled striking footpath artworks at locations in Garrison Point, Lake Gillawarna, and outside St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Georges Hall. These thought-provoking creations aim to raise awareness about plastic pollution in our rivers and creeks while encouraging responsible litter disposal practices.
Posted: 10 August, 2023
As part of the Zero Litter in Georges River project to reduce stormwater pollution in the Georges River, several of Georges Riverkeeper’s member councils undertook priority projects rectifying Gross Pollutant Traps (GPTs) in the catchment. Liverpool City Council opted to undertake an audit of existing GPTs to assess the condition and performance of the GPTs in the area.
Posted: 26 June, 2023
Georges Riverkeeper has released a Practical Guide for Gross Pollutant Trap (GPT) Planning, Design & Procurement to assist member Councils with planning, design, specification, and operation of GPTs.
Posted: 26 June, 2023
