Illegal dumpers could face a $7500 fine or one month in jail if convicted as a maximum penalty under the Litter Act 1979.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council environmental officer Ilze Kruis says illegal dumping is an ongoing issue, with the problem more prevalent in some places.

'It's still a problem – last month we had 21 accounts of roadside litter and rubbish being dumped throughout the whole district,” says Ilze.

'We have contractors who go out and it's cost $150 just to have a look.

'You get people phoning up and sometimes it can be bigger or smaller than what they say.”

She says it is frustrating as 'it only costs $3 or $4 to buy a green bag and dispose of it responsibly”.

'If people want to go through private contractors, they can get skip bins in, which cost the same as a weeks worth of green bags.”

Illegal dumpers can be prosecuted, but need they need to be caught in the act.

'We need to take photos, which is hard for us to get.

'It's not pleasant going through rubbish and finding things like dirty nappies.”

Ilze says the problem is often connected to seasonal workers.

'We find that during kiwifruit picking season we find bank statements, so we come to the conclusion that it's migrant workers,” says Ilze.

'Employees of seasonal workers need to educate them about the correct way to get rid of their rubbish; sometimes the workers don't know the proper disposal method and so just dump it on the side of the road.”