The NSW government is considering using helicopters to catch "environmental criminals" who engage in illegal dumping.

Environment Minister Robyn Parker released a draft strategy to combat illegal dumping, which includes creating two new Regional Illegal Dumping Squads.

As part of the strategy the government is considering using static and helicopter surveillance and covert operations in southern NSW.

"Illegal dumping is an environmental crime that has the potential to cause harm to the environment and human health and impose unnecessary clean-up costs on land owners and local councils," Ms Parker said in a statement.

"The NSW community is estimated to spend millions of dollars a year removing and properly disposing of illegally dumped materials and landfill."

Ms Parker said the plan would cost the government AUD $58 million.

-AAP