Why is illegal dumping a problem?
Cleaning up dump sites is an expensive and time-consuming process. Each year, the Ohio EPA hires contractors to remove about 100,000 illegally dumped tires.
Illegal dumping creates an eyesore in all neighborhoods, as well as environmental and health hazards. Litter pollutes the soil, the water, and the air! Rodents, insects, and other vermin live and breed in open dump sites and scrap tires. These pests are often carriers of diseases, such as West Nile virus and canine heartworm.
Children may look at a pile of rubber tires as an inviting place to play, but not only can they get bitten by a misquote living in a tire carrying the West Nile virus, they might get injured by nails, glass, or chemicals dumped at the illegal dumpsite.
Scrap tires can also release harmful chemicals if they catch fire or burn. Extinguishing a tire fire is extremely difficult, so they are often left to burn themselves out. Burning tires releases toxins into the air, soil and groundwater.
Unfortunately, once an illegal dump site occurs and once the public starts to see litter, more illegal dumping follows in the same place. This littering can affect the quality of life in your neighborhood, and potentially lower property values.
Millions of dollars are spent protecting the environment and public health by cleaning up illegal dumpsites each year.
The Ohio Revised Code prohibits littering, regardless of whether or not it was intentional. Numerous laws prohibit littering and illegal dumping. Littering is a serious offense, punishable by fines of up to $500 and 60 days in jail.