DANGERS OF ILLEGAL
DUMPING

Mosquitoes. Dumpsites with
scrap tires provide an ideal breeding
ground for mosquitoes, which can
multiply 100 times faster than normal in the
warm, stagnant water standing in scrap tire
casings. Severe illnesses, including encephalitis
and dengue fever, have been attributed to
disease-carrying mosquitoes originating from
scrap tire piles.

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Rodents. Decomposing garbage
can provide food and habitat for
deer mice and other rodents.

Rodents are carriers of both the Hantavirus

and Plague.

Hantavirus is spread to humans through contact
with infected rodent urine or droppings, including
by breathing in air contaminated with the virus.

Plague is contracted by being bitten by a rodent
flea that is carrying the plague bacterium or by
handling an infected animal.

DON'T TRASH OUR lAn~>

PREVENT I LLEGA'
DUMPING

Learn about...

•	The dangers of illegal dumping

•	What to do if you encounter illegal dumping

•	Where you can legally dispose your waste

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WHERE CAN I LEGALLY
DISPOSE OF MY WASTE?

DANGERS OF ILLEGAL DUMPING

WHAT CAN I DO?

Physical Hazards. The health
risks associated with illegal
dumping can be significant.

Areas used for illegal dumping
may be easily accessible to people,
especially children, who are
vulnerable to the physical and
chemical hazards posed by wastes.

Fire. Neighborhoods have been
evacuated and property damage
has been significant because of
dumpsites that caught fire, either by
spontaneous combustion, or more
commonly, by arson.

Flooding. Illegal dumping can
impact drainage, making areas
more susceptible to flooding when
wastes block ravines, creeks,
culverts, and drainage basins.

Contamination. Rain and water
runoff from dumpsites containing
chemicals can contaminate wells
and surface water used as sources
of drinking water.

Don't Dump Illegally!

There is no excuse for disposing of your waste
and recyclables anywhere except in an authorized
landfill, transfer station or recycling center.

What Do I Do If 1 Come Across an Illegal
Dumpsite?

•	Do not pick through the trash or disturb the
dump. Dumpsites can pose serious health risks
- see the side panels for more details.

•	Do not let your children play in the dump.

•	To report the site, contact your local or tribal
police department, or check with your tribe's
environmental department.

What Do I Do If I See Someone Dumping?

•	Do not confront them. Immediately call your
local or tribal police department.

•	Be sure to record:

•	A description of the people involved
including gender, hair color, build and
approximate age.

•	A description of any vehicles including
the license plate number, make, model
and color of the car.

•	The location or address of the illegal
dumping.

•	What was dumped.

•	Ownership of the site, if known.

•	Any other identifying information.

•	Date and time of the incident.

Crime. Dumpsites serve as
magnets for additional dumping
and other criminal activities.

Household Trash and Recyclables: Don't
illegally dump household trash or allow it to
accumulate in your home or yard. Check with
your tribe's environmental department or your
local waste hauler or transfer station for options
for disposing of household trash and where you
can take your recyclables.

Bulky Wastes - Appliances and Furniture:
Donate or sell your working appliances and
furniture. Check with your tribe's environmental
department or your local waste hauler or transfer
station for what to do with inoperable appliances
and unusable furniture.

Tires: Return surplus tires to either a tire retailer
or a local recycling facility that accepts tires.

Some tribes or municipalities will also conduct
"tire amnesty days" where citizens can bring a
limited number of tires to a drop-off site free of
charge. For more information, contact your
tribe's environmental department or check with
your local waste hauler or transfer station.

Car Batteries: Car batteries contain lead and
can be hazardous if disposed of improperly. Take
back your used car batteries for recycling to the
nearest car battery retailer.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW):
(Including paints, pesticides, automotive products,
cleaning products, batteries, mercury thermome-
ters, and fluorescent light bulbs). Chemicals in
household hazardous waste can be released into
the environment and contaminate our air, water,
and the food we eat. By throwing hazardous
waste in the garbage, you can cause additional
hazards to your garbage handler. To find out
where you can safely dispose of your HHW, call
your tribe's environmental department or check
with your local waste hauler or transfer station.


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