What Is Dumping?
Illegal dumping is the improper disposal of
solid or liquid waste through depositing or
abandoning unwanted materials in ditches,
in waterways, along roadways and on
private property.
Waste oil, leftover chemicals, paint waste,
old tires, appliances, construction and
demolition waste, and even hazardous
chemicals are thrown into Washtenaw
County’s open fields, waterways and
discarded in remote vacant areas of cities.
Illegal dumping impacts the environment,
the character of neighborhoods and the
quality of life of local residents. It causes
safety hazards to the public and costs local
government millions of dollars every year
in cleanup costs.
If You’re Thinking About
Dumping – Think Again!
Local, state and federal anti-dumping laws
may impose the following penalties. :
o Fines
o Incarceration
o Vehicle
impoundment
o Cost recovery for
site cleanup or
security
o Liens on property
o Revocation of licenses or permits
o Community Service
Where To Go For Waste
Disposal Information And
Services
For waste pickup information contact
Printed on Recycled Paper
Dumping is Illegal
your local city, township or village
government
Washtenaw County Recycling Guide
www.ewashtenaw.org/government/d
epartments/planning_environment/d
pw/copy_of_recycleg.html
Washtenaw County Home Toxic
Reduction Center
www.ewashtenaw.org/government/d
epartments/planning_environment/d
pw/hhw_html
See the Yellow Pages for listings of
local trash and liquid waste haulers
Office of the Washtenaw County
Drain Commissioner
(734) 994-2525
Washtenaw County Planning and
Environment
(734) 222-3800
www.ewashtenaw.org
Put Trash Where It Belongs
Reduce, re-use,
recycle, waste
stream or make
special
arrangements to
dispose of trash.
Never dump trash
onto the ground,
into a catch basin
or into a waterway.
Water directed to catch basins is not
treated at a wastewater treatment facility.
Catch basins are direct connections to
rivers and streams.
Dumping has severe environmental effects
on rivers and streams. Do not dump, and
if you observe dumping, report it.
Catch Basin
Please refer to the Washtenaw County
Regulation for Roadside Dumping and
Littering Control for information about
County regulations.
What To Do If You Witness
Dumping
If you witness someone in the act of
dumping, or if the dumped material poses
a danger to human health or the
environment, call 911. If the dumped
material is the result of a past action, call
the Washtenaw County Environmental
Reporting Line at (734) 222-3880.
Do not confront a dumper and stay
away from dumped materials. Call
the 911 or the Environmental
Reporting Line.
When you call either 911 or the
Environmental Reporting Line, be prepared
to give the following information:
o Time and day of occurrence
o Location of dumping site and
nearest cross street
o Description of dumper (including
gender, age and approximate
height) if known
o Description of dumping site (near a
stream, urban or residential area)
o Description of dumped material
(i.e., household appliances, liquid
waste, construction debris)
o Dumping vehicle commercial
markings (if present), license plate
number, make, model and color of
vehicle if known
o Type and quantity of the dumped
material, if possible
Calls to the Washenaw County
Environmental Reporting Line are
answered during business hours 8:30 a.m
– 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and
received by an answering machine during
non-business hours. Complaints can be
left anonymously but may be addressed at
a lower priority.
After a dumping call is received,
Washtenaw County will make an
assessment of the immediate health and
safety concerns and the environmental
impacts resulting from the dumped
material.
The County will work with responsible
parties to get the site cleaned-up, if
needed, or work with the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality to
take over the clean-up.