Nonprofit organizations often handle community cleanup efforts through charitable donations. If you live in a city where illegal dumping is prevalent and are lucky enough to have some quality environmental organizations that foot the bill, you may not feel the financial burden. While there may not be one solution to prevent illegal dumping, there are plenty of ways to help combat the issue.
The way you chose to take on the problem, though, depends on where the illegal dumping is occurring: on your property or in the community. Identify areas where someone could dump a large amount of trash without being noticed such as heavily wooded locations, blind spots of a structure or spaces with detached buildings. If signs are not working, consider installing a video monitoring system. While the camera itself acts as a deterrent, it will also give you evidence for authorities to help catch the culprit.
What do you do? If you see an illegal dump site or spot someone in the act, contact your local authorities. In addition to reaching out to the proper authorities, consider getting in contact with a nonprofit that organizes community cleanups near you.
Aside from cleaning the areas, Slavikova suggested that alertness of the issue can go a long way to preventing it. The problem has to be explained in a way that makes them personally involved. Start small. Report an illegal dumpsite if you see one. Volunteer with a local community cleanup organization. Making an effort is half of the battle when it comes to helping combat illegal dumping.
Do you work for a community organization looking to help clean up illegal dump sites? We want to help. If your cleanup requires a dumpster, reach out to find out more about our dumpster donation program.
Have thoughts on this topic? Head over to Twitter or Facebook and use dumpstersblog to join the conversation. Converting landfill gas to energy has numerous benefits. Ever wonder what happens to trash in landfills? Learn about waste sorting at the trash transfer station and what happens to our recycling. A lawyer can evaluate the strength of the prosecution's case against you and help develop any defenses you might have.
For example, if you believe that you properly relied on a governmental authority, you'll need to know whether your state recognizes this defense, as explained above. A lawyer's skillful negotiation with the prosecutor can sometimes result in a reduction of felony illegal dumping charges to misdemeanor charges, and can result in lower fines.
A local criminal defense attorney, who knows how the prosecutors and judges involved in your case typically handle such cases, can assist with these negotiations. And if you decide to go to trial, having a good lawyer in your corner will be essential. The information provided on this site is not legal advice, does not constitute a lawyer referral service, and no attorney-client or confidential relationship is or will be formed by use of the site.
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Please reference the Terms of Use and the Supplemental Terms for specific information related to your state. Market Your Law Firm. Lawyer Directory. Call us at 1 What Is Illegal Dumping? The definition of illegal dumping varies by state, but usually involves one of the following scenarios: dumping waste on public or private property that is not licensed or permitted to receive waste dumping waste, without a license or permit, into sewers or waterways, or allowing another to dump waste on one's land, without being licensed to receive such waste.
Is Illegal Dumping a Misdemeanor or a Felony? Illegal dumping can be a misdemeanor or a felony , depending on the state and on a number of other factors, such as: the amount of waste the type of waste, and whether it is hazardous whether the dumping is committed by an individual or a business, and whether the defendant has committed prior offenses. Who Can Be Prosecuted? Defenses There are fewer defenses to environmental crimes like illegal dumping than there are to many other criminal offenses.
Invalid dumping regulations When small governmental bodies like cities or counties adopt regulations, they must correctly follow complicated state procedures. Justifiable reliance Sometimes a governmental representative gives incorrect advice to a person who asks about permissible disposal methods.
Is lack of knowledge a defense? Penalties Someone convicted of illegal dumping can be subjected to any or all of the following penalties: Incarceration. For misdemeanors, sentences may involve 12 months or less in the county jail or state prison, depending on the state. For felonies, the sentence can be one or more years. Atmosphere — Many household appliances and other litter contain harmful chemicals which can be extremely damaging when released.
For example, refrigerators and freezers contain either tetrafluoroethane or chloro-fluoro-carbon, both of which destroy the ozone layer [7]. Not only does illegal dumping destroy the environment and harm plants and animals, it also has a number of other negative effects on society.
If garbage is dumped in an area accessible to the public — and especially children — such as a park, then people can be exposed to health and injury risks. The clean-up of illegally dumped garbage costs governments and tax-payers millions, if not billions of dollars per year.
This money could be better used in the preservation and care of the environment, rather than in the clean-up of completely preventable and thoughtless dumping.
If you care about the environment even a little, then you would never consider illegal dumping as a method of waste disposal. Rather, take the extra time and deliver your trash directly to a dump or tip, even if it costs a little more. Greentumble was founded in the summer of by us, Sara and Ovi. We are a couple of environmentalists who seek inspiration for life in simple values based on our love for nature.
Our goal is to inspire people to change their attitudes and behaviors toward a more sustainable life. Read more about us. Greentumble Waste September 3,
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