Illegal Dumping Survey Results Summary

Illegal Dumping is a universal problem faced by communities everywhere. By sharing practices and principles that have met with positive results, we’re hoping to create a pool of resources for greater effect on combating illegal dumping here in BC.

This past spring, RCBC released a survey on Illegal Dumping and here is a summary of the results and we can all use as a primer for Session 1 of #RCBC2017 on Illegal Dumping.  

Respondents: Local Governments (n=18)
General Information

• All provide residents with easy-to-access information about recycling and waste disposal.
• Majority (72%) currently link to some form of RCBC service (hotline, website, app) for recycling and waste disposal information.
• Majority (68%) note that there is generally no duplication with RCBC services. Others employ their own online search tools and provide links to provincial stewardship agencies.

Illegal Dumping Background

• 19% of responders receive reports of illegal dumping daily, 31% weekly, 31% monthly, 6% 20-30 cases/year, 6% 60-80 cases a year, 6% unknown. 
• Notable comment: “The question should be how often do we hear about illegal dumping, I'm certain it happens all the time…”

• 83% of responders post signs around illegal dumping. The majority (63%) posted at known dumping hot spots; some (18%) at service roads and off-access points. Also posted on (9%) public litter cans and at (9%) parks & boulevards.
• 56% of signage list penalties for illegal dumping and reporting options – (fines, RAPP line)

Illegal Reasons

• Main factors cited for illegal dumping: Convenience, Cost Savings/Avoidance, and Lack of Awareness.
• Notable Comment #1: “We haven't interviewed people illegally dumping but I suspect it's because it's easier than hauling it to a transfer station. In some cases we get materials dumped, which are free to dispose of at the site, so I don't buy the argument that cost is the issue. In most cases people that illegally dump are just plain ignorant.”
• Notable Comment #2:  “Renters when they move don't want deal with extra garbage/furniture, etc - would require extra fee for decal for excess bags; furniture would have to be taken directly to landfill - Homeless/campers collect and dump material - Landscape and construction companies that dump in out of sight areas to save $”
• Other stated factors include difficulty in dealing with banned materials/hazardous materials and the lack of facility access (geographic and vehicle-based).

Education and Tracking

• Majority of responders (78%) have not increased public education to reduce illegal dumping. Some reasons cited included not wanting to draw attention to the issue in case it promotes the idea, and funding is not within their jurisdiction. (Regional district vs. city)
• 83% of responders currently do not track the illegal dumping of large items. The respondents (n=2) that did tracked items noted item by frequency: Couches were the most common by far, followed by armchairs, computers, TVs, and freezers.

Illegal Dumping Costs to Community

• (n=14) Mean cost = $132,035, Median cost = $13,500 Lowest cost =$2000 Highest cost = $1.5 Million
• 50% of responders designate an annual budget to deal with the clean-up of illegally dumped waste.

Illegal Dumping Solutions

• 16% of responders provide special collection days for large and bulky items. Some do it once a year. Others target the elderly and disabled. One is planning a pilot program in 2017.
• 18% of responders currently cooperate with industry stewardship agencies regarding illegally dumped items that are covered by the Recycling Regulation.
• 39% currently cooperate with industry stewardship agencies to set up proactive community collection events.
• 93% of responders who do not currently cooperate with industry stewardship agencies would be interested in developing collection events with them.
• 94% of responders believe that access to resources and best practices on illegal dumping benefit their community’s efforts.
• 95% of responders would be willing to invest a small amount in a collaborative effort to save on the costs of managing illegal dumping. 67% of responders note that it will depend on cost.