Tired of illegal trash dumping? This is what you do.
HELL TO THE NAH: Your trash does not belong in or around my dumpsters.
I just had to drop a dime on a property owner in my neighborhood who's tenants constantly illegally dump trash in and around my dumpsters. Their dumping has resulted in more than one time my association getting fined by DPW. It's a pain to fight those fines and all the more aggravating when the trash isn't even yours to begin with.
Why can't they just clean up after themselves?
That reminded me that others in the community have reported having this same problem of people dumping their trash where it's not supposed to be. So if you spot someone dumping in the street, alleys, vacant property, your dumpsters, etc. then contact the DC Department of Public Works and start an investigation. I believe illegal dumping fines are $500 for every violation. Why should you risk a trash enforcement fine for someone else's trash?
I've noticed that a majority of the property owners responsible for these nuisance properties in SE don't live in Southeast. They live in "nice" neighborhoods in Maryland and Virginia. These property owners (aka investors) don't have to deal with the constant noise, trash, destruction of property, fights, drug dealing, etc. that occurs on their income-generating rental properties. I think it's time that we in the community start holding these negligent property owners responsible. The best way to get their attention is to" hit them in those pockets." Lord knows that requests to "do better" don't always work.
So I am going to start compiling information that you may find helpful in dealing with a nuisance property on your block.
For the Department of Public Works Website:
ILLEGAL DUMPING INVESTIGATION
Washington, DC, has a no tolerance position toward illegal dumping and urges residents to help spread the word. SWEEP inspectors patrol their assigned areas daily on the lookout for sanitation violations, such as illegal dumping.
If you spot trash or piles of debris that are not in proper containers (or they are set out in an otherwise unsanitary manner), not at a proper point of collection, or on a vacant lot or public property, please call the Mayor’s Citywide Call Center at 311 and provide the following information:
- The location (street, alley, vacant lot, etc. with an address, if possible) of the dumping.
- Make, model and license tag number of the vehicle used to carry the item(s) to the site.
- Time and date when the dumping occurred.
- What kind of materials were dumped.
After investigating the dumping the SWEEP inspector will make arrangements for clean-up. To report illegal dumping, call 311.
Contact Email:
Contact Phone: 202-645-7190
Contact Fax: (202) 671-0642
Contact TTY: (202) 673-6833
Office Hours: Monday to Friday 8:15 am - 4:45 pm