Don’t Dump on Our Reef

Join the ReefClean campaign today

Every dog owner can play a part in protecting the Great Barrier Reef.

 

The ReefClean Don’t Dump on Our Reef campaign is helping educate dog owners about the impact of dog waste and single-use plastic dog poo bags on our environment, waterways, and reef catchments.

 

Whether you’re walking your dog at the local park, beach, or neighbourhood footpath, your actions matter.

Have you taken the quiz yet?

 

Take the quiz to find out what type of dog owner you are:
“What type of dog owner are you?”

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Why this campaign matters

Many people think dog waste is a natural product that will break down in the environment. While this is partly true, the reality is more complicated.

 

Dog waste contains harmful pathogens and excess nutrients that can negatively impact both human health and the environment. In areas with growing dog populations, the volume of waste produced can exceed what the environment can naturally process.

 

Pathogens commonly found in dog waste include:

 

• Salmonella
• Giardia
• Hookworm
• Tapeworms
• Cryptosporidiosis
• Toxocariasis
• Campylobacteriosis

 

These pathogens can spread to humans, wildlife, and other pets.

 

When left on the ground or washed into stormwater drains, dog waste can also increase nutrient pollution in waterways, contributing to excessive algae and weed growth that harms aquatic ecosystems.

 

And while many dog owners do the right thing and pick up after their pets, plastic dog poo bags often become another source of litter when not disposed of correctly.

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Protecting the Reef from plastic pollution

 

Single-use plastics continue to threaten the Great Barrier Reef and waterways across Australia.

 

The ReefClean campaign was developed following an online ReefClean Source Reduction Plan Workshop focused on preventing plastic dog poo bags from entering the environment.

 

Data from the Australian Marine Debris Initiative Database shows that single-use plastic items, including dog poo bags, are a significant litter issue across reef catchments and waterways nationwide.

That’s why we’re creating a fun, practical education campaign encouraging dog owners to:

 

• Pick up dog poo
• Bag it responsibly
• Bin it properly

 

Simple actions can make a big difference.

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How the campaign works

 

We’re rolling out educational signage at dog poo bin hotspots across reef catchments to encourage responsible waste disposal.

 

Our team is also monitoring these locations before and after signage installation to measure reductions in litter and plastic dog poo bags.

 

This helps us better understand how education and behaviour change can reduce pollution at the source.

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How individuals can get involved

 

Supporting the campaign is easy.

 

You can help by:

 

• Picking up, bagging, and binning your dog poo
• Reducing your use of single-use plastics
• Sharing the campaign on social media
• Encouraging friends and family to do the same
• Displaying Don’t Dump on Our Reef imagery online

 

Every action helps protect our waterways and reef ecosystems.

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How pet stores and councils can help

 

We’re calling on pet stores, councils, and community organisations to help spread the message.

 

To get involved:

 

1. Download the campaign assets from:
   reefclean.org/dontdump
2. Display campaign signage in-store or at community locations
3. Share campaign graphics on your social channels
4. Encourage your customers and local community to pick up, bag, and bin dog poo responsibly

 

Together, we can reduce plastic pollution before it reaches our waterways.

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Why join the campaign?

 

Because it’s free, simple, and effective.

 

By supporting Don’t Dump on Our Reef, you’ll help reduce the amount of single-use plastic entering the environment while protecting local waterways and the Great Barrier Reef for future generations.

Pick it up. Bag it. Bin it. Protect our Reef.