The City spends $1.5 million annually cleaning up illegally dumped material
Illegal dumping complaints are among the highest 311 calls from residents
BUILDING A CITYWIDE SOLUTION TO END ILLEGAL DUMPING, ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME.
Illegal dumping doesn’t just degrade our neighborhoods; it threatens the health and well-being of the residents who call it home.
Illegal dumping is defined as waste material that is intentionally placed in locations not permitted for storage or collection. The City of Philadelphia has experienced a significant increase in this illegal activity over the years:
In Philadelphia, illegal dumping can come from a variety of sources, but the most common violators are:
- Private construction contractors
- Commercial establishments
- Tire shops
- Residential illegal dumping:
- Occurs when household trash is set out at separate locations other than the legal property address and outside of the scheduled collection time
- Is commonly found on street corners, empty lots, near public trash cans, and at parks and recreation centers
- Often found in densely populated communities and areas that are highly zoned residential multi-family use
These negative actions have a significant negative impact on the environment, public health, and community safety, in particular:
Environmental Impacts:
- Pollution and contamination
- Pest Infestations
- Hazardous Materials
- Ecosystem Disruption
Public Health and Social Impacts:
- Disease Vectors
- Increased Risk of Illness (particularly respiratory illness)
- Mental Health and Quality of Life
- Community Disengagement
- Decreased property value
- Increases in crime
TAKING ACTION
That’s why the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives is taking action. Thanks to funding from the William Penn Foundation, we’re launching a bold pilot program—one that will help us reduce illegal dumping for good—to create cleaner, healthier communities throughout Philadelphia.
Partnering with SEAMAAC and the Overbrook Environmental Education Center (OEEC), this initiative seeks to uncover the root causes of illegal dumping. Working together to develop more tailored, neighborhood-focused solutions, we hope to address challenges specific to these underserved areas, empowering residents to protect their streets and open spaces. The goal? To create a fresh, clean slate for every corner of Philadelphia.
SEAMAAC brings over 41 years of experience serving immigrant, refugee, and historically marginalized/vulnerable communities in South Philadelphia. Most of SEAMAAC’s staff are immigrants or refugees themselves or have personally experienced displacement and hardship. This close connection to the community helps us provide services that are not only culturally and linguistically appropriate, but also grounded in trust, care, and shared experience.
The OEEC contributes its expertise in environmental education and sustainable practices to ensure that no neighborhood is left behind. Together with the Office of Clean and Green, these trusted partners are helping us pave the way for lasting change.
This program isn’t just about cleaning up today’s waste; it’s about building a cleaner future for all Philadelphians. Join us in the fight against illegal dumping as we take another crucial step towards making our home the safest, cleanest, and greenest city in the country.
OUR KEY ACTIONS:
Data-driven Solutions
Enforcement Collaboration
Community Engagement
Focused Education
Tailored Messaging
Curriculum Integration
Education Outreach
Youth Leadership in Action
Neighborhood Pride
GET INVOLVED
Join the fight against illegal dumping.
- Stay up to date on the Citywide Cleaning schedule CLICK HERE
- Schedule large, bulky items for curbside pick-up CLICK HERE
- Find your closest Sanitation Convenience Center, for free household item, oversized trash, yard waste, and recycling materials drop off CLICK HERE
- Volunteer with SEAMAAC CLICK HERE
- Volunteer with OEEC CLICK HERE
To report illegal dumping in your neighborhood, call 311 or visit Phila.gov/311.
This effort has been made possible through the generous funding from the William Penn Foundation
