Public Works

Report Illegal Dumpsites

INTRODUCTION
In Nashville, Davidson County we are serious about illegal dumping. Illegal dumping and littering is against the law. Illegal dumping is another inexcusable crime that pollutes our land and violates the rights of others. This unhealthy and unsightly crime promotes the deterioration of neighborhoods and attracts criminal activity. There are several resources below that are available to properly dispose of solid waste.

WHAT IS ILLEGAL DUMPING?
Illegal dumping is disposing of waste in unauthorized or undesignated areas. Illegal dumping is commonly found in uninhabited or otherwise deserted areas, vacant lots, along roadways, in alleys and at construction sites. Most illegal dumping is done to avoid paying disposal fees at landfills or the time and effort required for proper disposal.

Items illegally dumped include household garbage, business trash, construction and demolition waste, appliances, tires, gas tanks, furniture, landscape and yard waste, mattresses, waste/used oil, chemicals and medical waste.

THE DANGERS AND PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH ILLEGAL DUMPING
Serious health risks may be associated with illegal dumping. Many areas used for illegal dumping are easily accessible to children, who are more susceptible to physical and chemical hazards present at many of these sites. Illegally dumped debris may also attract rodents, insects and other vermin. Discarded tires provide ideal breeding sites for mosquitoes, which have been found in Davidson County carrying West Nile Virus. Fires in illegal dumps cause property damage and threaten air quality, depending on the contents of the dumpsite. Dumping lowers property values and increases environmental risks contaminating soil and water. Additionally, runoff from these dumpsites containing chemicals may contaminate wells and surface water used as sources of drinking water. Illegal dumping impacts the government’s budget because it costs money to collect and dispose of abandoned garbage and hazardous chemicals, and often this cost is passed on to taxpayers. Abandoned garbage encourages more dumping and even small amounts will become full-scale dumpsites in only a few days. Allowing garbage to accumulate on vacant lots, in front and backyards and green spaces only makes the problem worse. Finally, illegal dumping contributes to other illegal activity. By tolerating illegal dumping you send a message to violators that these and other types of non-desirable activities are okay in your neighborhood.

THE COST OF ILLEGAL DUMPING
A dumpsite is a magnet for additional dumping. If dumpsites are left intact, property values can decrease and the community may become unattractive to future development. Without tax revenues, the funding needed to maintain illegal dumping prevention would be limited. Ultimately, it is the development of areas susceptible to illegal dumping that eradicates the problem.

Finally, the cost to local government and industry associated with continuous clearing of illegally dumped waste materials is significant. Some cities and counties have reported spending several million dollars per year on cleanup, hauling and disposal activities associated with illegal dumpsites. These costs may be passed along to residents in the form of higher service fees or property taxes.

WHERE ARE DESIGNATED DUMP AREAS?
Click here to see a list of Convenience Centers and Recycle Drop-off sites authorized by Metro’s Solid Waste Division: .

HOW DO I REPORT ILLEGAL DUMPING?
Identify the exact location of the dumpsite, including the closest major cross streets and any landmarks. Try to identify the person or company that did the illegal dumping. Give a detailed description of the vehicle, license plate, time and date, what has been dumped, and your name and phone number, mailing or e-mail address. You don’t have to provide your name, but it might be helpful for us to have some way to contact you, in case investigators have a question or need more details, and so that we may follow up to let you know the outcome of your complaint. Here’s how to report illegal dumping:

  1. Call Metro Public Works Customer Service at 615-862-8750
  2. Complete the on-line Illegal Dumping Report

    An Environmental Officer will investigate the complaint and if appropriate, will enforce City ordinances relating to the unlawful dumping. In many cases the officer will be able to track down the person responsible for the dumping. The officer will then take the necessary actions toward cleanup of the site and prosecution of the violator.

WILL IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE?
Absolutely. By reporting all incidents of illegal dumping you not only help to keep your neighborhood clean and safe but ensure that those responsible are held accountable.

 
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