Prevent Illegal Trash-Dumping in your Dumpster

It can be agreed upon that spending money on renting a dumpster and later finding that trespassers have unlawfully tossed their garbage into your container can be super aggravating. Don’t feel alone though, it’s a pretty common issue and it happens to the best of us. To combat this issue, let’s take a look at some preventative measures we can take.

The Legality of the Issue

Did you know that in Liota, TN (and anywhere else in the U.S.) it’s illegal to dump trash in dumpsters placed on private property unless given explicit permission by the owner of the dumpster to do so? It sure is. This goes as far as to include dumpsters that are placed on construction sites, commercial dumpsters at businesses. Roll carts and roll-offs at homes and other trash receptacles placed on private property are also protected by law.

Laws will vary by municipality, however, most cities consider this type of illegal dumping a misdemeanor – punishable by fines and possible jail time. If you’d like to learn more about your local dumping laws, you may do so by performing an online search for “litter statute in [your city].”

For the Dump Culprits out there, according to Tennessee state law, some littering offenses are punishable by a fine of up to $2,500 (that’s a pretty expensive dump if you ask us)!

Dumpster Trashed?

People leaving trash in your rented dumpster without permission is not only illegal it’s a headache, and this is why:

• Less space! You still need to fill it up with your own junk, waste, and debris. 
• Sometimes a second dumpster becomes necessary to complete the job.
• Extra weight pushing the load past the weight allowance = extra fees!
• The culprit(s) could have loaded hazardous materials. You may end up being responsible for any extra fees related to the disposal of such wastes.

Aggravating… we know.

That being said, let’s check out how to reduce the chances of your dumpster becoming a public attraction.

Prevent Illegal Dumping

• If possible, keep the dumpster inside a fenced area or inside of a garage, barn or shed.
• When not in use – tarp your dumpster. You just need an inexpensive tarp and some bungee cords! Also, this is very useful if you want to keep the load dry during rain or snowstorms. Keep in mind, a wet dumpster load is much heavier than a dry one (and pricier!)
• Keep the dumpster in a well-lit area.
• If at all possible, load the dumpster in a day and have it picked up soon after. The longer the dumpster sits around, the higher the risk of illegal dumping.
• Keep the dumpster near your home or building rather than on or near the street, especially if it’s a busy street.
• A simple sign may even be enough to keep people from throwing their trash in your dumpster.

Still Didn’t Solve the Problem?

Are you finding unknown garbage and debris in your dumpster still? Try looking for any sort of identifiable markings or labels. If you’re able to locate a name on the items, you can always give your local authorities a call and continue forward from there.

Unable to identify the culprit(s)? You should still consider contacting the authorities in your neighborhood. If you plan on keeping the dumpster on-site for a while, it’s not a bad idea to inform them of the issue. The police could simply increase their neighborhood patrols, giving the culprit(s) a reason to think twice.

Can the Dumpster Rental Provider Help?

Typically, dumpster companies are not responsible for others dumping in your rented dumpster. That’s really your responsibility as the renter. However, it all depends on the company and the extent of the situation.

Regardless, it’s not a bad idea to mention the issue to your dumpster rental company. They may have some solutions to aid you in your situation. If the situation is extreme enough, some rental companies may be willing to provide a second dumpster or offer a discount for their services if you still needed to complete the cleanup.

Call 5 Star Waste in Niota, TN at (865) 988-9737 for your next dumpster rental!