Illegal Dumping Brings 83 Tons of Waste to Delaware County

Illegal dumping brings 83 tons of waste to Delaware county

Illegal dumping is an unlawful form of dumping used tires, construction debris, old appliances, furniture, as well as general household, commercial and industrial wastes in places other than permitted facilities such as landfills and transfer stations.  The garbage is usually dumped on vacant lots, along utility right-of-ways, on public and private lands, and at other normally unattended locations.  This can occur for a number of reasons like high disposal cost, low fines for dumping in these sites, lack of legal alternatives, and lack of public awareness.  In Delaware County Pennsylvania, a close nit county where I was born and raised illegal dumping has become a huge problem.  A recent survey taken by a nonprofit environmental organization shows that Delaware County to at least 26 illegal dumping sites that have around 83 tons of waste.  Each of these sites contains an estimated 15 tons of waste and is on public property.  I live in Upper Darby Township, which is one of the places in Delaware County that has an illegal dumping site.  People in my community and county have been getting fed up and are working hard to find a solution to this growing problem.  The largest dumping site in Delaware County, on Lawrence Road in Marple Township, contained 15 tons of debris.  Some of the biggest troublesome items are tires and bulk trash, like furniture and appliances.  Problem areas include the areas surrounding railroad tracks in Chester.  The issues arise because people throw garbage over the fences that block access to the right-of-ways for Amtrak trains.  City officials are unable to enter that area and remove the trash.  They are working with Amtrak officials to organize a cleanup effort.

Illegal dumps reduce the quality of life and livability of the surrounding area.  The Illegal dumping of garbage Harms the environment and makes the community less livable.  Illegal dumping can bring down the value of the neighborhood.  The illegally dumped garbage includes bagged trash, household trash, recyclables, household hazardous waste, tires, clean fill, construction and demolition waste, yard waste, electronics, furniture, mattresses and vehicle parts.  According to Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, a nonprofit Environmental organization from Delaware County, illegal dumping threatens residents' health and safety.  Waste provides a shelter for diseased carrying rodents and mosquitoes.  The expense to clean up dumpsites can cost as much as $1,000 per ton, according to research done by PA CleanWays.  The environmental impact of these dumping’s does not only affect the water and the soil, but also the air quality.