City addresses illegal dumping

(COLUMBIA, MO) - Since the inception of the Solid Waste Utility’s Pay As You Throw program, the City of Columbia and its residents have seen an increase in illegal dumping of refuse and misuse of the City’s recycling centers.

The City of Columbia would like to remind residents that illegal dumping, the improper disposal of waste materials, is a crime that harms the environment, poses a threat to public health and negatively impacts the community’s aesthetics. Anyone caught disposing of waste illegally can be prosecuted.

While the City of Columbia works to improve this service, improper disposal at recycling sites risks damaging the City’s relationship with its community partners. In the event that the City’s partners discontinue their commitment to providing space for recycling centers, it will hurt the availability of those resources and services for all of our citizens.

"We value our relationships with participating community partners and strive to provide quality services to the community," City Manager John Glascock said. "In order for the City to provide the best quality service, it is imperative that residents follow the program’s guidelines in disposing of their refuse items and not dumping items illegally in recycling centers."

Combating illegal dumping requires a partnership among the residents, the community partners and the City. 

The City of Columbia pledges to continue monitoring sites and to expand efforts to modify staffing in an effort to alleviate this problem.