
Most states have a department of environmental quality or something akin to it that addresses illegal dumping and littering and the ramifications that go along with it. For instance, Illinois’ Environmental Protection Agency addresses everything from safe disposal of pharmaceuticals and medical sharps to electronic waste recycling to waste disposal.
Illegal dumping occurs for a variety of reasons, but none are acceptable:
- Lack of convenient alternatives
- Increased disposal costs
- Lack of public awareness
- Lack of understanding of laws
Health and the Environment are at Risk
Regardless of the reason, the side effects of illegal dumping are very real. The Illinois EPA partners with other state departments in an effort to prevent illegal dumping because of the potential threat to public health and the environment. Illegal dumping goes by a variety of names, including fly dumping, open dumping, midnight dumping.