Gardening services
For garden businesses that provide basic maintenance services, such as lawn mowing and garden tidying, the environmental issues of greatest concern include stormwater pollution from lawn clippings, the use of pesticides and other chemicals, and the appropriate disposal of green waste.
Issues of particular concern include:
- soil and green waste being washed into the stormwater drains
- disposal of green waste
- refuelling over the gutter or stormwater drain
- use of pesticides, fertilisers and garden chemicals
- excessive noise from mechanical equipment.
Chainsaws and stump grinders
- Use a mulcher to shred smaller branches to use as mulch
- Sweep up sawdust and chips, and compost these
- Do not allow sawdust and chips to be washed into the gutter and stormwater drain
- Phone the local council to arrange a green waste pick up for small branches
- Take larger timber to your local waste station. Timber thicker than 150mm is only accepted by some waste stations, so check first
- Do not refuel over the gutter or stormwater drain
- Soak up fuel or oil spills by using kitty litter or sand. Then sweep up and place into the garbage bin.
Did you know green waste washed down the stormwater drain decomposes in our rivers, depleting oxygen and killing the fish? Mulch or compost for fish friendly gardening!
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Lawn mowers and de-thatchers
- Pick up any litter and debris from the area before you start
- Do not refuel over the gutter or stormwater drain
- Work in from the edges of the lawn, so that clippings are directed towards the middle of the lawn. This reduces the time needed to clear up
- Use lawn cuttings to make compost or for mulch around plants
- Leave some grass cuttings on the lawn to fertilise it
- Make sure you do not leave cuttings where they can be washed into the gutter or stormwater drain
- Arrange for any excess green waste to be picked up by the local council – don't dump it as you may be fined
- Always clean machinery over a grassed area where the water cannot flow into the stormwater drain
- Soak up fuel or oil spills using kitty litter or sand. Then sweep up and place in the garbage bins.
Did you know green waste washed down the stormwater drain decomposes in our rivers, depleting oxygen and killing the fish? Mulch or compost for fish friendly gardening!
Leaf blowers
- Do not blow leaves into the gutter or stormwater drain
- Collect up leaves and use them for compost, mulch, or in a worm farm
- If possible suck up leaves rather than blowing them
- Make sure you do not pile leaves where they can be washed or blown into the gutter or stormwater drain
- Arrange for any excess green waste to be picked up by the local council – don't dump it as you may be fined
- Do not refuel over the gutter or stormwater drain
- Soak up fuel or oil spills by using kitty litter or sand. Then sweep up and place in the garbage bin
- Stormwater drains empty directly into our rivers and sea. Only clean water should go into stormwater drains.
Did you know green waste washed down the stormwater drain decomposes in our rivers, using up the oxygen causing the fish to die? Make a fish happy – Mulch.
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Mulchers and chipper shredders
- When making, storing and spreading mulch, make sure it cannot be washed into the stormwater drain
- Use a broom and a shovel to sweep up spilt mulch
- Soak up fuel or oil spills by using sand or kitty litter. Then sweep up and put into the garbage bin
- Arrange for any excess green waste to be picked up by the local council - don't dump it as you may be fined
- Take larger timber to your local waste station. Timber thicker than 150mm is only accepted by some waste stations, so check first
- Always clean equipment over grass where water cannot flow into the stormwater drain.
Did you know green waste washed down the stormwater drain decomposes in our rivers, depleting oxygen and killing the fish? Mulch or compost for fish friendly gardening!
Whipper-snippers, brush cutters and hedge trimmers
- Don't leave cuttings where they can be washed into the stormwater drain
- Don't refuel over the gutter or stormwater drain
- Rake and sweep up cuttings, and use them as mulch or to make compost
- Arrange for excess green waste to be picked up by the local council - don't dump or you may be fined
- Always clean equipment over grass, where water cannot flow into the stormwater drain
- Soak up fuel or oil spills using kitty litter or sand. Then sweep up and put into the garbage bin.
Did you know green waste washed down the stormwater drain decomposes in our rivers, using up the oxygen causing the fish to die? Make a fish happy – Mulch or compost instead.
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Be aware of your legal responsibilities
Although mobile businesses do not work from fixed premises, they do have to comply with a range of legislation. Review the Environmental legislation and compliance overview for further information.
On-the-spot fines of $1500 for companies and $750 for individuals could be issued under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) if you put anything other than clean water down the stormwater drain. This includes green waste.
Gardeners using pesticides are also required to comply with the Pesticides Act 1999 and businesses using chemicals have to comply with the Dangerous Goods Act 1975. Make sure you're aware of the legal requirements before using, storing, transporting and disposing of hazardous materials (such as chemicals). The laws relating to chemical storage vary depending on the amount that you are storing. For more information contact WorkCover NSW.
Keep your knowledge of environmental protection laws up-to-date by regularly visiting What's new in law.
Licensing, training and Codes of Conduct
Business operators may require a licence or need to complete a minimum standard of training in order to operate.
For example, since 1 September 2005 training in the use of pesticides has been compulsory. If you are not sure whether you need to be trained or if you have any questions please call Environment Line on 131 555.
For further information
- Your local council
- WorkCover NSW website
- DECC Environment Line on 131 555
Page last updated: 27 February 2011
