Illegal Dumping Cleanup company
Since 2001, we've been taking on these unwanted junk piles like pros—because we know firsthand how much it sucks. With over two decades of disaster cleanup in Phoenix, we’re your go-to solution for fast and affordable cleanups. We’re all about restoring your property to its former glory as soon as possible. Trust AZ Junk Removal, to handle the mess, and breathe easy knowing your disaster is as good as gone.
Attention property owners and management companies: We get it—finding unexpected heaps of trash on your land is like discovering someone threw a party…and forgot to invite you. It’s annoying, costly, and totally unfair. Brad and his team specializes in handling these situations. . From old appliances to hazardous waste, our experienced team is ready to tackle it all with efficiency and care.
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At AZ Junk Removal, we're committed to providing excellent service and helping to cleanup illegal dumping sites. Let's work together to keep our cities clean and safe.
Illegal Dumping Resources & Laws for Phoenix, AZ
Whether you're new to Phoenix or have lived here your whole life, it's important to understand Phoenix's regulations for trash collection, garbage pickup, and illegal dumping.
Below is a breakdown of Phoenix's regulations and procedures when it comes to illegally dumped garbage, what is currently being done about it and what you can do.
What to Know About Illegal Dumping
We won't just sneak out to the boonies and dump it all,
we're Sundevils after all, not wildcats.
Illegal dumping is a concerning issue that affects urban and rural areas alike, causing significant harm to our communities and environment. Here are five key things everyone should know about this problem:
What is Illegal Dumping?
Illegal dumping refers to the act of discarding waste in unauthorized or unpermitted areas, often to evade disposal fees or the effort associated with proper disposal. Common items found at illegal dump sites include appliances, business trash, chemicals or medical waste, construction and demolition waste, furniture, and more. Here are many of the items that are considered harmful to dump illegally and why.
How to Report Illegal Dumping
If you discover a site of illegal dumping, it's imperative to report it. In Maricopa County, for example, dumping outside city limits can be reported online or by phone. Take note of the exact location, closest major crossroads, and, if possible, any identifiers of the person or company responsible.
If you are able to, the Phoenix Public Works Department encourages anyone who witnesses illegal dumping to call with the following details:
- Directions to the location of the site of the crime, a description of the size, shape, and other visual aspects of the dumped object.
- The date at which the dumping is thought to have occurred-descriptions of any vehicles or individuals that could be related to the dumping incident.
- The name and contact information of the owner of the property at which the object was dumped.
Contacts for Reporting
For Phoenix, Arizona Call: 602-262-7251
Outside of Maricopa County City Limits Call: 602-506-6616
Illegal Dumping on Highways Call: 602-506-DUMP
Most cities have designated contacts or online platforms for reporting illegal dumping. Utilize these resources to notify the appropriate authorities and ensure the dumped trash is addressed promptly.
In order to nip bad behavior in the bud, Phoenix encourages its residence to support any suspicious activity they may see to Crime Stop at 602-262-6151 or to the Public Works office at 602-262-7251 (you can, of course, always call 911 for emergencies). Information you give will be held confidential, and you can always ask to remain anonymous if you feel uncomfortable revealing your identity.
See more contact information and related local resources.
The City of Phoenix's Role
While reporting is the responsibility of the public, cleanup and health hazard analysis is the job of the city or county. They investigate illegal dumping to protect their residents' health through enforcement of environmental health codes.
Dumping garbage in Phoenix, AZ is a class two misdemeanor, according to the A.R.S. Section 49-791.Depending on the size and contents of the dump, fines can be as high as $15,000 or more for a single illegal dumping violation - not counting other possible penalties if the contents of the illegal dump include any illegally obtained or disallowed objects.
Waste and Recycling Resources
To help fight against illegal dumping, many areas offer waste collection and recycling locations. In Maricopa County, there are plenty of household hazardous waste collection and recycling locations, helping residents reduce the amount of waste deposited in illegal dumping sites. Here at AZ Junk Removal we offer both dumpster rentals and garbage removals for Phoenix to provide you either a DIY option or a done for you service. For specifics on how illegal dumped trash is handled for all Maricopa county cities, visit this page.
Also See: Where Does Trash Go?
What Is Currently Being Done About Dumping Illegally in Phoenix?
Clean up crews
HD cameras
Trash disposal services
Education programs
1. Increased clean up crews and raised fines
All over Maricopa, there are now more cleanup crews being assigned to clean larger areas where illegal dumpsites have become a big problem for AZ residents. To combat the rise of midnight dumping, the city has further increased fines for those who are convicted of illegal dumping. This has not been an easy task, yet the city has taken further steps to install surveillance equipment in areas that are repeated dumping targets.
2. New HD cameras are being installed
You've seen how bad some video surveillance tends to look, but that's all changing. The breakthrough of 4K video cameras being cheaper to purchase has helped to catch midnight dumpers. The identity of these people caught on cameras also gives authorities more proof in addition to identifying license plate numbers on vehicles that were involved. These images are shared with police authorities and the general public to bring them to justice.
These cameras are also simple to install in spots where repeat dumping offenses have already happened. As more spots are becoming hotspots for dumping, hidden cameras are making it easier to catch them sooner.
3. Introduction of free and low-cost trash disposal services
Maricopa County has also announced new initiatives to inform its residents where to find free or low-cost disposal services to reduce the chances of illegal dumping. It's not that local officials are blaming AZ residents for illegal dumping, but the effort to inform everyone how to dispose of their trash is a lot easier.
4. More education programs describing better ways to recycle being launched
The launching of programs that help target recycling practices also helps promote better ways to combat illegal dumping. Each of the cities including Scottsdale, Mesa, and Glendale, and many other cities are joining in to further expand recycling programs to inform as many residents to the best methods for dealing with their trash. We've reviewed some additional programs in AZ that are geared towards cutting down on clutter in our city, see our writeups on Keep AZ Beautiful and Don't Trash Arizona.
Local Resources
If you live within Maricopa County and want to know what your city has to offer for recycling programs and for items you want to get rid of, we've got you covered. But if you've had an experience with someone who has dumped trash next to your home, it should be reported right away. You shouldn't be the victim of illegal dumping, and these links can help get this trash cleared out so you aren't a target for more.
Here are some useful contacts for Maricopa County:
Maricopa County Department of Public Health:
To file a violation report in Maricopa county you can complete this form on the Maricopa County website.
Maricopa County Environmental Services:
Report illegal dumping incidents by visiting their website, calling them directly at (602) 506-6616, or stopping by their main office Monday - Friday between 8am - 5pm;
Maricopa County Public Health
301 W Jefferson St
Suite 170
Phoenix, AZ 8500
Waste Management and Recycling Facilities:
For information on waste disposal and recycling facilities in Maricopa County, click here.
Don't Trash Arizona Initiative
See our full review and report on this local community program.
Keep AZ Beautiful Initiative
Since 1985 'Keep AZ Beautiful' has been working with community members to organize and kickoff cleanup campaigns in efforts to keep AZ one of the cleanest states in the country.
FAQs
Illegal dumping refers to the act of disposing of waste, such as trash or litter, in an unauthorized area or manner. People often do this with things like tires and car batteries due to the costs associated with disposing them legally.
The consequences of getting caught illegally dumping can include fines, penalties, and criminal charges. And sometimes these fines can be a heavy as $500 to $1500 depending on your city. Not to mention it can also harm the environment and negatively impact the quality of life in the community.
You can report illegal dumping to local authorities, such as the police or waste management department, although simply dialing 911 is the easiest and fastest way. Your town may also have a special number for you to call, so check that out as well if you have the time.
Some common items illegally dumped include car tires, household waste, construction debris, electronics, and hazardous waste. These all normally cost money so the person dumping them simply doesn’t want to take on the cost of properly disposing them.
Yes, property owners can be held responsible for illegal dumping on their property, even if they were not the ones who dumped the waste. That’s why you should always report the event even if it seems harmless. Toxic materials cleanup can get extremely expensive, and you’ll be footing the bill.
You can prevent illegal dumping in your community by properly disposing of waste, reporting illegal dumping to local authorities, and participating in community cleanup efforts. Also, finding places where it frequently happens and changing the environment, like planting bushes, building a shed, or using the space for something that makes dumping more difficult to do is also advised.
Yes, there are many laws and regulations for illegal dumping, which vary by state and jurisdiction. Penalties for illegal dumping can range from fines to imprisonment and are often taken very seriously!
