Illegal Dumping Strategies

Every city needs an Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program with a well thought out strategy.

Illegal Dumping is a worldwide epidemic, which is surprising considering the amount of awareness there appears to be.  There has been a lot of news and education regarding protecting the environment.  Are people aware that illegal dumping harms the environment and the communities?  It is hard to assess.  What is the most prevalent source of illegal dumping? Again, hard to assess.

According to Washington County, Ohio, the most items found are furniture, tires, roofing shingles, and disposable diapers. Some donation centers no longer accept furniture, due to the possible infestation of bugs that harbor within.  This along with large items being restricted in the weekly trash pickup makes it difficult for some people to dispose of the large items appropriately.  The tire and roof shingle dumping is usually committed by commercial companies that know they are committing a crime but are illegally dumping anyway.

These factors need to be considered when implementing the Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program.

• Are there enough legal waste disposal sites?
• Are there programs in place to rally the disposal of hazardous waste, and large items?
• Are there educational programs in place to raise awareness of the programs in place and the hazards associated with illegal dumping?
• Are the fines high enough to discourage illegal dumping?
• Have Illegal Dumping Cameras been deployed at the sites?
• Do the Illegal Dumping Cameras capture images and license plates?
• Are the Illegal Dumping Cameras vandal resistant?
• Are the Illegal Dumping Cameras able to be placed in remote areas where no electricity or internet connection is available?

These factors can be a deal breaker and should carefully be considered when forming the strategy to stop illegal dumping.