Updated 27/07/2025
When you think of rubbish, there isn’t much that comes to mind that is positive. Rubbish is an unfortunate and mostly unavoidable reality, making waste management an important thing that individuals and organisations should keep in mind. Here are six reasons you shouldn’t allow rubbish accumulation and why you should want to get your rubbish removed.
Nothing ruins your day like foul breath entering your nostrils. The odour of decomposing waste is one of the most offensive smells around, and leaving it too long can make dealing with it even harder to get rid of. The worst part is the fact that smell rubbish creates, though, is far worse than that.
If you can smell the waste decomposing, you are actually breathing in decomposing particles and possibly taking them into your lungs. This immediate health risk makes proper waste disposal and regular rubbish collection essential for maintaining clean air quality in your home or workplace.
Decomposing organic matter releases various gases including methane, hydrogen sulphide, and ammonia. These gases don’t just smell unpleasant—they can actually be harmful when inhaled in concentrated amounts. The World Health Organization notes that improper waste disposal can lead to adverse health outcomes through air contamination, and food scraps, garden waste, and other biodegradable materials begin breaking down within days, creating an environment where bacteria thrive and multiply rapidly.
According to EPA Victoria, everyone has a duty to reduce risk to human health and the environment from pollution and waste, which includes proper management of decomposing materials. Professional rubbish removal services understand the importance of timely collection to prevent these odours from becoming overwhelming. Regular waste collection schedules help ensure that decomposition doesn’t reach levels where air quality becomes compromised.
The accumulation of unwanted waste products takes up valuable space. Space is a valuable commodity, especially in a city like Melbourne where property prices are at a premium. Having piles of rubbish lying around, land values decrease. Allowing valuable commercial or household space to be cluttered with rubbish is a terrible way for you to use it, so clearing it of rubbish lets you get better use of your unwanted stuff, therefore clearing it of rubbish lets you get better use of your space.
Every square metre of your property has potential value, whether it’s residential or commercial space. When rubbish accumulates, it effectively reduces the functional area of your property. This is particularly problematic for:
Professional rubbish removal services can help reclaim these valuable spaces quickly and efficiently. Many Melbourne residents are surprised by how much usable space they regain after a thorough clean-out and waste removal session.
Most people don’t appreciate uninvited guests of the furry variety. Stacking rubbish in your home or office might help to keep your fellow humans away, but it tends to attract animal pests instead. Mice, rats, cockroaches, flies and ants all see rubbish as a way to find food, and they might decide to set up permanent residence if there’s a family. They don’t care about your house rules. They don’t pay their share of rent or bills. If you’re not careful they’ll eat you out of house and home and might bring disease with them.
Research has shown that household waste containing organic materials is a significant attractant for disease-carrying pests. Studies examining landfill sites have found that insect populations are dominated by flies (Dipterans), which are known disease vectors. Different types of waste attract different pests, creating multiple problems simultaneously:
These unwanted visitors don’t just consume your rubbish—they can cause property damage, contaminate food supplies, and pose serious health risks. Many pests carry diseases that can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated surfaces or through bites and stings.
The health consequences of pest infestations linked to waste accumulation are well-documented in scientific literature. Rodents can spread serious diseases including salmonella, leptospirosis, and hantavirus. According to research on household waste and health risks, cockroaches are known carriers of various pathogens and can trigger asthma and allergies. Flying insects can contaminate food preparation areas and spread bacteria throughout your property.
Studies have identified that rats, cockroaches, and pigeons attracted to waste are sources of many diseases, including:
Regular rubbish removal and proper waste management significantly reduce the likelihood of pest infestations, protecting both your property and your health.
Water is a precious resource and contamination can create serious problems. If not contained and disposed of properly, liquefied waste can end up in storm water drainage and your water supply. Even solid rubbish can break down when exposed to rain, this can create toxic liquid waste, affecting the environment.
This could happen from exposure to the elements of sunlight, dirt and water damaging materials, decomposing clothes, soft plastic and so on.
When rubbish isn’t properly contained or collected regularly, rainwater can wash contaminants into local waterways. This creates a cascade of environmental problems that have been extensively documented by environmental health authorities:
Melbourne’s waterways and Port Phillip Bay are particularly vulnerable to contamination from urban waste. Proper rubbish removal and recycling help protect these precious water resources for future generations.
According to the WHO’s guidance on solid waste and health, poor waste collection leads to environmental and marine pollution and can block water drains, with resulting flooding creating breeding grounds for cholera and vector-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Property owners can face significant fines and legal action if waste from their property contaminates public waterways or neighbouring properties. Under Victorian environmental law, everyone has a general environmental duty to minimise risk of harm to human health or the environment from pollution and waste. Environmental protection agencies take water contamination seriously, and the costs of remediation can be substantial.
Contamination of soil exposed to rubbish happens in a similar way to water contamination. When you stack rubbish on bare earth, you risk exposing the soil to water, allowing contaminants to soak into the ground and potentially kill plants. Even if you don’t care about the aesthetic appeal of your garden, soil contamination can make direct contact with dirt or grass exposure to water and subsequent runoff can carry the toxins to it.
Soil contamination is often more persistent than water contamination because:
Contaminated soil can significantly impact property values and may require expensive remediation before a property can be sold. Environmental assessments are increasingly common during property transactions, and soil contamination issues can derail sales or result in substantial price reductions.
Professional rubbish removal services help prevent soil contamination by ensuring waste is properly contained and disposed of through appropriate channels.
All the above consequences of failing to deal with rubbish problems can have a negative impact on human health. Inhaling foul air into your lungs, less space to live, and contaminated space aren’t optimal conditions for your general health.
Waste contamination and pest infestations expose you to parasites, infectious diseases, and allergic reactions. Water and soil contamination not only harms the environment, but it can also affect all kinds of health problems too. The health impacts of not disposing and managing waste properly are not always obvious, but accumulation of toxins in the body can take years to manifest diagnosable symptoms.
The health impacts of rubbish accumulation extend far beyond unpleasant odours. Scientific research has documented numerous health effects associated with improper waste management:
According to health authorities, the diseases spread by drinking water contaminated by municipal waste kill an estimated 485,000 people annually worldwide, with developing countries bearing the highest burden due to poor sanitation systems.
Children, elderly individuals, and people with compromised immune systems are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of waste accumulation. The WHO specifically notes that vulnerable groups such as children are at increased risk of adverse health outcomes from improper waste disposal. Pregnant women also face increased risks from exposure to toxic substances commonly found in accumulated rubbish.
Living or working in environments with significant rubbish accumulation can contribute to stress, anxiety, and depression. The constant visual reminder of disorder and the awareness of health risks can create ongoing psychological pressure that affects overall wellbeing and quality of life. Research on environmental public health indicates that the environment can significantly impact people’s mental health, including exposure to pollution and waste.
Recognising these serious consequences of rubbish accumulation, many Melbourne residents and businesses turn to professional waste management services. These services offer several advantages:
Professional rubbish removal companies can handle various types of waste safely and efficiently, including:
Establishing regular collection schedules prevents accumulation before it becomes problematic. Many services offer flexible scheduling to accommodate different needs and waste generation patterns.
Reputable waste management companies prioritise environmental protection through:
The Victorian Department of Health supports the government’s Recycling Victoria initiative, working to reduce waste and move towards a circular economy model. In 2022-23, Victorian public health services generated over 42,000 tonnes of solid waste, demonstrating the importance of proper waste management systems.
To stay on top of household or commercial waste, you need a fast and reliable rubbish collection and disposal service like that provided by It’s Done Rubbish Removal. Our team are ready to load and take away your rubbish and dispose of it responsibly.
Professional waste management isn’t just about convenience—it’s about protecting your health, preserving your property value, maintaining environmental responsibility, and ensuring compliance with local regulations. Don’t let rubbish accumulation create problems that could easily be prevented with proper waste management practices.
Simply call us on 0418 175 908 or (03) 9820 1927 to arrange a free onsite quote.
The frequency depends on your waste generation, but most households benefit from weekly collection, while businesses may need more frequent service. If you notice odours developing or pests appearing, increase collection frequency immediately.
Organic waste like food scraps and garden materials pose the highest immediate health risks due to rapid decomposition and pest attraction. However, hazardous materials like batteries, chemicals, and electronics can cause long-term environmental and health issues.
While small amounts of household rubbish can be managed personally, large accumulations, hazardous materials, or heavy items should be handled by professionals who have proper equipment, training, and disposal knowledge.
Some effects like odours and pest attraction can occur within days, while others like soil contamination and serious health impacts may take weeks or months to develop. Early intervention is always preferable.
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