Tip fees blamed for rise in illegal dumping in Melbourne

Expensive tip fees are being blamed for a huge increase in hard rubbish call-outs and illegal dumping across Melbourne.

Now, residents are demanding local councils clean up their act.

They say there is more rubbish than ever- both for collection and illegally dumbed-causing an eyesore.

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Gideon Rozner from the Institute of Public Affairs says people are simply throwing bulky items out on the street because it is the affordable option.

"It's no surprise people are going to hard rubbish instead of putting things in the tip because tip fees are very expensive," he said.

And the cost is rising, with some councils jacking up "waste fees" by close to 15 per cent.

To meet demand, the City of Monash has extended its free hard waste collection to seven weeks.

Boroondara and Bayside councils have reported close to 4000 extra pick-ups between them.

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Meanehile, Illegal dumping is surging, and it happened on the vacant block of land Vikas Chaudhary recently bought for his family in Melton.

"Now I have to pay for this cleaning as well - which is not even my fault," he said.

He says Melton Council won't pay for the clean-up unless he provides the number plates of the dumpers, which is impossible.

"I cannot monitor at night-time if someone comes and dumps something here," Mr Chaudhary, said.

"It's not in my control."

Laurie Emmins Reserve in Laverton North is also a a hotspot for people to take unwanted garbage.

Rubbish dumping has repeatedly been reported to Wyndham Council but locals say nothing has been done.

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Residents have been advised another option is to contact the Environment Protection Authority by calling their 24/7 pollution hotline.

While people across the city are fed up with the rubbish, there are some Melburnians turning the trash into treasure.

Vaissy Dasler scours rubbish piles for usable items and puts them online for free to help clean-up the streets and reduce landfill.

"Just needs a bit of a dust - that's perfect," Ms Dasler said.

The keen recycler even managed to fashion an entire furniture set from rubbish.

"Four chairs and a matching day bed, cushions - there you go - there's an outdoor setting," she said.