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Consequences of Illegal Dumping

Cities and towns across the country have waged a fight against illegal dumping for generations, even long before the environment became a primary concern. When trash, unwanted items and other junk wind up along roads, in woods or floating downstream, it is the result of a crime. The significant consequences of today's illegal dumpsites are pollution, safety concerns and costs to taxpayers.

  1. Environment

    • Simply put, the wrong item improperly disposed of in a sensitive area can cause severe damage to the environment. Whether it's toxic refrigerants from an old window air conditioner, lead from a television's cathode ray tube or petroleum products from leaky and inoperable power equipment, chemicals can seep into the ground and pollute the soil, contaminate water and endanger animals. The problem of illegal dumping isn't just with thoughtless individuals. Government regulators, from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to local wastewater authorities, have sought fines against companies for attempting to skirt the Clean Water Act in dumping industrial waste.

    Safety

    • The evolution of methamphetamine, an illegal and highly addictive substance, has created small drug-making operations across the country. Materials used to create the drug and the byproducts of its manufacture are highly toxic, and law enforcement agencies have had to clean up these spent meth labs dumped along the side of country roads. The powdery residue left in pots or bottles used to make the drug is poisonous if inhaled, and unfinished reactions could explode if not handled correctly. An article in "The San Francisco Chronicle" explains how this makes illegal dumping a significant hazard in terms of public safety.

    Cost

    • When illegal dumping occurs, someone pays to clean it up. If found on private property, it's probable the landowner will properly dispose of the items at an unknown cost. Waste left on public land, like parks and roadsides, is the government's responsibility — meaning the cost is shared by taxpayers. While it's impossible to know the true dollar figures for the entire country, a detective with the Travis County, Tex., police told KVUE-TV he expects the residents in and around Austin pay a total of $1 million or more each year for dump cleanup. Direct and indirect to taxpayers, the costs associated with illegal dumping are staggering.

    Penalties

    • Criminals have been caught dumping and been subject to considerable penalties. In Connecticut, for example, state law allows for authorities to impose fines of $200 or more, impound the vehicle used during the illegal act and force the criminal to pay for actual cleanup. In addition to state or federal laws, cities may enact their own ordinances; New York's Department of Sanitation can fine both the owner and driver of a vehicle $20,000 apiece for a dumping incident. To help counter illegal dumping, many local governments and not-for-profit groups like CrimeStoppers have started tip lines and offer rewards to collect information about these crimes.

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