Illegal dumping is an unsightly scene. Fly dumping sites breed bacteria, lower home and business property values, and pose a danger to families living nearby. Did you know illegal dumping grounds also increase the crime to the affected community?

In some instances, the additional crime is more dumping such as abandoned trash, tires, and mattresses in a vacant lot. People assuming a few more tires or broken pieces of furniture added to the junkyard will not make much of a difference, thus adding to the fly dumping pile.

An essay on the effects of illegal dumping to Lawrence, PA states that one improperly disposed article can cause a “chain reaction” to your community in many harmful ways.

Amongst this “chain link” of fly dumping, is the attraction of illegal drugs and drug manufacturers. Harmful and highly dangerous narcotics are often the types of drugs that are drawn in by illegal dumping. Drug related articles found thrown into the garbage pile at the site are meth lab materials and heroin needles.

In addition to destroying community pride, fly dumping also attracts gatherings of rowdy people that behave in an unwanted manner. Disorderly teenagers often find illegal dumping sites to be “fun” hangout sites and sometimes take to vandalizing nearby homes and parks as part of their group activities.

So, what are communities to do to prevent this chain reaction? They cannot simply believe the perpetrators will suddenly stop fly dumping and clean up the litter. Communities must make an investment in an illegal dumping prevention program.

                                                 Create an Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program.

A Successful Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program involves many departments within the city.

• Education: Educate the community about the hazards and the cost of illegal dumping.

• Hotlines: Hotlines are a very useful tool when there are witnesses nearby.

• Social Media Program: To ask the community to help identify perpetrators.

• Legislation: Strict laws to combat illegal dumping.

• Enforcement: Enforce, respond, investigate, and prosecute.

• Staff Resources: Staff that is trained and dedicated to combat the illegal dumping problem.

• Illegal Dumping Cameras– cameras specifically designed to provide prosecutable evidence in dark remote areas, where illegal dumping usually occurs.

Eliminate illegal dumping and create an Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program!

Before the 1800s, trash including bones and broken cooking utensils were left strewn about on the household yard.  In the 1800s people began to be more discrete and dug holes to dump their trash.  A little trivia tells us, between 1872-1932 – Worcester, MA used pigs to consume the city’s garbage.

Unbelievably, it wasn’t until the 1960s that public health became a concern.  Entering the arena was the Solid Waste Disposal Act (1965).

As time continues so does the trash problem, how to dispose of trash and protect the environment.  Unfortunately, the problem of illegal dumping continues to plague cities and counties across the globe.

So, what can be done to protect your community from the hazards of illegal dumping?

The solution is an effective Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program, and the key elements, which require departments to work together, are:

• Education: Continue the fight and help the community become aware of the hazards created from illegal dumping.

• Legislation: Legislate and provide tough fines for illegal dumping.

• Staff Resources: Train and keep a dedicated staff that can stay focused.

• Tools: Illegal dumping enforcement cameras designed to capture and provide prosecutable evidence, especially in remote areas.

• Enforcement: Enforcement is necessary to deter further illegal dumping activity.

Stop the illegal dumping hazards and blight in your community and create an effective Illegal Dumping Enforcement Program today!

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