Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping includes the improper disposal of solid waste through depositing, dumping or abandoning waste in ditches, along roadways and on others' property. Old tires, appliances, construction and demolition waste, and even hazardous chemicals are thrown into Iowa's waterways, dumped along waterways and discarded in remote or vacant areas of cities. Illegal dumping impacts the environment, the character of neighborhoods and the quality of life of local residents. It causes safety hazards to the public and costs local governments millions of dollars every year in cleanup costs.

The DNR partnered with Keep Iowa Beautiful to create a pilot program for combating illegal dumping in the state.
Learn how to start a campaign against illegal dumping in your community.

Keep Iowa Beautiful
Sponsors programs and activities to prevent littering and illegal dumping.

Keep Iowa Clean and Beautiful Task Force Report - 9/5/06 (*.pdf)

Jackson County Iowa Illegal Dumping Complaint Form
One Iowa county has gone online to get residents to report illegal dumping.

Illegal Dumping Issues Forums
The Department of Natural Resources held a series of Illegal Dumping Issues Forums in July 2007. The purpose of the forums was to gather input from citizens, local governments and businesses about how illegal dumping and tire piles have impacted their communities. Forum participants were also invited to offer suggestions for combating illegal dumping. The summary of issues and suggestions received at the forums is available below.

• Illegal Dumping Issues Forums Summary (*.pdf file)
• Funding Mechanisms to Combat Illegal Dumping (*.pdf file)

Because this is a large document, it has been broken up into four PDF files:

• Part 1
• Part 2
• Part 3
• Part 4
• Illegal dumping prevention handbook(.pdf file)
  Published by the United States Environmental Protection Agency.

DNR Contact
Tom Anderson
(515) 281-8623
Tom.Anderson@dnr.iowa.gov