Illegal dumpsites

Illegal dumping is the disposal of waste in an unpermitted area to avoid the associated disposal costs or efforts. It is also known as fly dumping, midnight dumping, open dumping or wildcat dumping because materials are often dumped in open areas, from vehicles, along roadsides, and late at night.

These materials typically include:

construction and demolition debris
abandoned automobiles, auto parts and scrap tires
appliances or white goods
furniture
yard waste
household trash
medical waste

If not addressed, illegal dumps often attract more waste, potentially including hazardous wastes such as asbestos, household chemicals and paints, automotive fluids, and commercial or industrial waste.

Why are litter and illegal dumping a problem?
Litter and illegal dumping pose a serious threat to public health and safety, property values and quality of life. The areas used for illegal dumping are usually easily accessible by people, especially children, who are vulnerable to both the physical and chemical hazards posed by wastes. The rodents, insects, and other vermin attracted to these sites may also pose health risks.

Dumpsites with scrap tires provide an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes, which can multiply 100 times faster in the warm, stagnant water standing in scrap tire casings. Severe illnesses, including encephalitis and dengue fever have been attributed to disease-carrying mosquitoes. Some of these sites have been evacuated and property damage has occurred due to spontaneous combustion or arson. Illegal dumping can impair runoff, making areas more flood prone when wastes block ravines, culverts, and drainage basins. At rural dumpsites, open burning may cause forest fires and severe erosion, as fires burn away trees and undergrowth. Additionally, runoff from sites may contain chemicals that leach into and contaminate wells and surface water used as sources of drinking water.

In addition to serving as magnets for further dumping and criminal activities, illegal dumping may decrease property values as the community becomes unattractive to commercial and residential developers. The resultant tax revenue decrease due to lack of development exacerbates the problem as there will be no funding available to clean up the sites and prevent further incident.

Why do people litter and illegally dump?
Communities frequently subject to illegal dumping are typically areas with limited access to or knowledge of convenient, affordable waste disposal facilities or services and recycling programs. In lower-income areas, residents may have difficulty affording trash pick up and disposal fees. Also, due to gang- or drug-related activities and high crime rates, illegal dumping being given a low priority by law enforcement officials and prosecutors. The problem may be worse in areas with a high renter population who have less stake in the community or absentee landlords who do not respond to problems. Residents in rural areas, where illegal dumping is a common, long-time practice, may not be aware of applicable laws or understand the potential harmful impacts. Visit

http://www.epa.gov/region5/illegaldumping/

for more information on illegal dumping.