WHAT IS ILLEGAL DUMPING?

Illegal dumping is the disposal of solid waste (e.g. trash, rubbish, garbage) at a site other than a permitted disposal facility, such as a landfill or transfer station.

WHAT IS LITTERING

Littering is knowingly depositing in any manner litter on any public or private property or any public or private waters, without permission to do so. Litter is trash improperly placed so as to be a nuisance or health concern.

REPORT LITTER & ILLEGAL DUMPING

Litter and illegal dumping are problems in our community. Monterey County is one of the most beautiful spots in California yet a trip on area roadways can reveal medians, roadsides, and parking lots strewn with litter. Litter and illegal dumping are not only an eyesore, they pose health risk, impact our coastal waters and crop fields and are costly to cleanup.

 

KeepMontereyCountyClean.Org has merged with Monterey County Environmental Health Department’s Website to make a one stop website for reporting either litter problems or illegal dumping problems. The Health Department and our partners (ReGen Monterey and Salinas Valley Recycles) created this website to help solve the problem and to recognize the great work many businesses and civic groups and individuals are doing to help keep Monterey County clean.

Report a Litter/Illegal Dumping Problem

Report a Litter/Illegal Dumping Violation from a Motor Vehicle or Person

Assistance for Victims of Illegal Dumping on your Property

QUICK FACTS:

Uncovered trucks are one of the primary sources of litter found along our roadways.

We are asking our Monterey County residents to prevent litter by covering your vehicle load during transport.

California State Vehicle Code, Section 23115, requires loads to be properly covered. 23115. (a) No vehicle transporting garbage, swill, used cans or bottles, waste papers, waste cardboard, ashes, refuse, trash, or rubbish, or any noisome, nauseous, or offensive matter, or anything being transported for disposal or recycling shall be driven or moved upon any highway unless the load is totally covered in a manner that will prevent the load or any part of the load from spilling or falling from the vehicle.

Covering or tarping your loads will prevent you from losing money!

Vehicles arriving at the ReGen Monterey Landfill in Salinas,  Johnson Canyon Landfill in Gonzales, or Jolon Road Transfer Station in King City with loads that are not properly secured are subject to a surcharge of double the disposal fee.

CONCERNS:

Littering and the illegal dumping of garbage, hazardous waste, and commonly used materials are reoccurring problems that presents serious environmental and public health concerns for the residents of Monterey County, CA.

• It is not only an eyesore;
• It is a possible fire hazard, and
• May contain dangerous hazardous materials and chemicals;
• It is contaminating our environmental, our water sources, and our crops;
• It threatens human health and safety by attracting and harboring disease transmitting vectors (mosquitoes, rats, and flies);
• It negatively impacts growers and public agencies that work to clean these sites; and
• It is a huge cost to all the taxpayers, Monterey County, and our partners to investigate the dump site and mitigate clean-up.

PROPER DISPOSAL / DIVERT YOUR WASTE

Learn how to properly dispose of materials. Learn About Proper Disposal

DONATE YOUR THINGS THAT ARE STILL USABLE / RECYCLE

Many items can be reused or recycled. Donations or recycling are great methods to make use of items that are still considered useable instead of tossing it into the garbage. Learn About Donating and Recycling Still Usable Items.

VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES / CLEAN-UP EVENTS

Think locally and get involved. Learn More About Available Clean-up Events and Opportunities and Hosting Your Own Clean-up Events.