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Illegal Dumping

Illegal Dumping Cleanup

Illegal dumping impacts public health and safety, property values, and the quality of life in our community.

What is illegal dumping?

Illegal dumping is the improper disposal of waste. Illegal dumping often occurs on remote roads and in isolated areas. Illegal dumping also happens in and around business and apartment dumpsters, residential property and public property such as parks and greenbelts.

Typical dumpsites contain household garbage; large bulky items such as appliances, furniture, yard waste and tires; and construction and demolition debris.

How does illegal dumping affect you, your community and our environment? Illegal dumpsites:

• Can attract rats. Illegally-dumped tires are a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Are dangerous to children who play around these sites. Illegal dumpsites can contain sharp objects and/or hazardous chemicals.
• Can lower property values
• Are unsightly and costly to clean up
• Can pollute our rivers and streams
• Can make areas more susceptible to flooding when waste blocks ravines, creeks, culverts, and drainage basins
• May contaminate wells if the dumpsite contains chemicals
• Can cause a fire, either by spontaneous combustion or by arson
• Invite more illegal dumping if not cleaned up

Don't let illegal dumping negatively impact you and your community. Help protect our environment by reporting illegal dump sites as soon as you see them.

King County Illegal Dumping Task Force

King County Executive Ron Sims convened the Illegal Dumping Task Force (IDTF) in March, 2003. The IDTF was charged with developing a set of recommendations to improve coordination and delivery of services to county residents, protect the environment, and ultimately reduce the incidence of illegal dumping. Read the task force's final report and recommendations (PDF, 86 K), released in February 2004.

How do I report illegal dumping?

A new King County Illegal Dumping Hotline has been set up to receive calls about illegal dumping. Trained staff will record your complaint and direct it to the appropriate agency for follow-up action. Please call 206-296-SITE (7483), toll-free 866-431-7483. You may also submit your report online.

City of Seattle residents should visit the illegal dumping page (external link) to report illegal dumping within Seattle city limits.

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