Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping and littering is everyone’s problem. The environmental impacts of illegal dumping and littering damage our land, water, soil, and creates air pollution all the while fostering an unsafe space in our communities.

WHAT IS ILLEGAL DUMPING?
Illegal dumping is the disposal of solid waste (e.g. trash, rubbish, garbage) at a site other than a permitted disposal facility, such as a waste-to-energy facility, landfill or transfer station.

WHAT IS LITTERING?
Littering is knowingly discarding trash/material on any public or private property or any public or private waters, without permission to do so. Litter is trash improperly placed so as to be a nuisance or health concern.

WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT?
The Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance #6-2004 prohibiting the disposal or dumping of non-recyclable municipal waste in or at the County's Recycling Drop-Off Centers or on any private or public properties within the county. The County has experienced illegal dumping and littering countywide; ranging from the Capital Area Greenbelt, to the valley’s, to back yards and at several of the Recycling Drop-Off Centers.

GET INVOLVED
Please contact our office if you see illegal dumping and an Environmental Enforcement Officer will investigate.  We ask our residents and businesses to please properly discard and recycle your waste; and please do not leave any materials or household trash outside of the County’s Recycling Drop-Off bins.