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:
- Call Metro Public Works Customer Service at 615-862-8750
- 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.
before... and ...after