Illegal Dumping & Graffiti

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping, such as garbage or a couch on the side of the road, can be reported through Danville Connect. Freeway on- and off-ramp maintenance, including removal of litter or illegally dumped items, is performed by the California Department of Transportation and work orders can be submitted through their online system. 

Graffiti

The quick removal of graffiti is one of the most effective deterrents of additional "tagging." You may report graffiti through Danville Connect for publicly-owned property such as street signs and public sidewalks. Freeway underpasses marked with graffiti can be reported to Caltrans through their online system.

Why Does Illegal Dumping Occur?

People dump their waste illegally for several reasons. They may be trying to avoid disposal fees or may simply be too lazy to make the effort to dispose of their garbage properly.

Illegal dumping is done in several ways. Some examples include:

  • Throwing household waste or garden rubbish into nearby parks or alongside the roadway
  • Dumping your construction waste in someone else’s bin
  • Leaving household goods or furniture on the side of the road with a free sign

What Are the Effects of Illegal Dumping On The Surrounding Environment?

  • Runoff – Illegal dumping can impede the natural runoff of water during heavy rain or storms. This can cause the water to build up in areas where it is not wanted – potentially causing flash flooding and damage to property and/or land. Dumped trash can also become caught up in the runoff, where if flows into waterbodies, and can cause the contamination of drinking water supplies, lakes, and rivers.
  • Aesthetics – Illegally dumped garbage can be a horrible eyesore in an otherwise beautiful place.
  •  Plants and wildlife – Illegal dumping can adversely affect many native species of plants and animals. If animals consume waste from illegal dump sites it can cause health complications and even death. The toxins from waste can leach into the surrounding environment, killing plants and destroying the food source of local animals.
  • Marine – Illegal dumping near Creeks can cause water pollution. This causes huge problems for the environment.
  • 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.

Final Word:

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.