Is Illegal Dumping a Pay-As-You-Throw Concern?

Not likely according to many expert sources. Remember that pay-as-you-throw programs come in as many shapes and sizes as there are cities that have implemented them. You can provide input to City Council and the Mayor on what you want to see included in what they propose for Peoria. Nothing has been decided yet.

As we address some concerns. First is the fear of the city being covered in garbage that people don’t want to pay for. As long as Peoria has a plan in place to address it and follows through on that plan, this shouldn’t be an issue.

• “Many solid waste managers have expressed a fear that residents may resort to illegal dumping in commercial waste bins or public trash cans if charged a fee for waste disposal. Studies of communities in Massachusetts and around the nation with PAYT programs indicate that increased illegal dumping is NOT a problem in most communities.” (Source)
• “In fact, illegal dumping is actually less of a problem now due to the provision of new services, including a free bulky waste collection and an annual hazardous household products collection day.” – Bob Fiore, DPW, Worcester, MA (Source)

Is Illegal Dumping a Problem for PAYT?  (Source)

• In great majority of cases, there is no detectable increase in illegal dumping.
• 80% of illegal dumping is commercial material – not residential
• Any increase tends to disappear after the first few months of the program.

• A complete PAYT implementation plan will address prevention of illegal dumping and prompt resolution of any complaints.
• “No, we have not seen any increase.” —Bill Guistis, Financial Officer, Merrimac, Massachusetts
• “Illegal dumping? We just haven’t seen it. We’ve had only two instances – in commercial dumpsters in the downtown area.” —Kristine Carbonneau, Program Manager, Dedham, Massachusetts
• “We have some beautiful fields and forests in Concord that would be places for illegal dumping. But we see absolutely no illegal dumping in our fields. We have seen some illegal trash put in dumpsters.” —Ann Dorfman, Recycling Coordinator, Town of Concord
• “In fact, illegal dumping is actually less of a problem now due to the provision of new services, including a free bulky waste collection and an annual hazardous household products collection day.” —Bob Fiore, DPW, Worcester
• Mansfield, CT, Seattle, WA, and Pasadena, CA, case studies are available on page 9 of this EPA document .