Leaders Look to Curb Illegal Dumping
It’s become an all-too-familiar site in the unincorporated parts of Alameda County: trash bags and junk sit on an empty block… mattresses and construction debris are abandoned on quiet roads.
To help tackle the issue of illegal dumping and showcase their solutions, Alameda County Supervisor Nate Miley and the county's Illegal Dumping Task Force organized the 4th Annual Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping at the Alameda County Training and Conference Center in downtown Oakland. The two-day event (May 2 and 3) brought together California officials, stakeholders, and experts.
The goal was to again show how illegal dumping poses significant economic, environmental, health, and safety challenges. Attendees heard about the modern challenges of illegal dumping and explored innovative strategies to combat them.
For context, the City of Oakland alone collected 9,477 tons of illegally dumped trash in 2022. According to Oakland Public Works director G. Harold Duffey, the city spent approximately $13 million to fight dumping, including hiring 58 employees, maintaining 13 trash collection vehicles, and hosting 10 bulky block parties.
Representatives and city officials from towns like San Rafael, Santa Clara, and Palmdale displayed their solutions to illegal dumping and the results. A tech company, Rubbish, showcased how it transforms waste management through artificial intelligence and data.
Late last year, legislation passed bill AB 592 to help “create a three-year pilot program to regulate the transport of solid waste by commercial nonfranchise solid waste haulers on public roads in unincorporated areas of the county.”
“That was the statewide legislation, but Alameda County and specifically supervisor Miley fought to ensure that Alameda County was included,” said senior policy advisor Erin Armstrong, working for Supervisor Miley’s office.
Armstrong noted the persistent problem of unlicensed haulers who have historically skirted around or completely ignored disposal laws.
“What this legislation did is it gave the county the authority to institute a licensing program to make sure that they are licensed and that the waste they collect is picked up and disposed of properly,” Armstrong told the Forum.
Alameda County has instated a plan called the 3 E’s (Education, Eradicate, and Enforcement) to curb illegal dumping. Education is to help inform, educate, and provide the tools for the community to have safer and cleaner neighborhoods. Eradication is part of removing trash and litter that will give a visual cue to deter illegal dumpers, improve quality of life, and improve the environment. Enforcement would allow law enforcement and the District Attorney’s Office to catch illegal dumpers and fine them with cameras and license plate readers.
To report illegal dumping in Alameda County, contact Alameda County Public Works by calling (510) 670-5500. You can also report issues by using the Mobile Citizen app or visiting the ACPWA website (https://www.acpwa.org/programs-services/clean-up/roadways.page?)