Budgeting for Proactive Illegal Dumping Programs

Illegal dumping is a type of theft that robs the very land, nature and resources from the community.  Trash left behind kills wildlife and suffocates our forests and our air; it ravages the cities’ water supplies and piles up on every corner.  It burdens companies and homeowners, driving them into debt as they are forced to address the trash left on their property.  It keeps many cities and police departments, large and small, scrambling on how to track down the next move of the litterbugs.  It is costing municipalities millions each year to tame this out of control nuisance.

There are proactive programs available to secure maintenance and deterrence for the illegal dumping offense.  However, how does a company, homeowner, or city find the resource of finances to equip them with this necessary line of defense?

Think of budgeting for a program to fight illegal waste as more of an investment than an expense.  As with any investment, one must weigh the pros and the cons.   One pro to reflect on is if the program’s advantage is to create a deterrent for illegal dumping, the cost may end there, if  the solution gives the tools you need to halt the issue.  Many cities have even found a well thought out program can generate revenue.

Evaluate the cost it will take to invest in an illegal dumping program vs. the price you pay battling the dumping problem without assistance.  Remember to add the newly generated revenue from fines and work out the budget for the year. If the problem turns out to be costing more money than a solution, maybe it’s time to consider extra help. By budgeting for a lending hand in combatting the pesky litterbugs, you will end up spending less money and time on illegal dumping and be able to save your budget for the sweeter, less smelly, endeavors this year.