Illegal Dumping Task Force

The One Philly, United City Illegal Dumping Task Force is a specialized unit dedicated to eliminating illegal dumping across the city. The newly formed task force will operate with a multi-pronged approach, combining proactive surveillance, rapid response cleanup, and stringent enforcement to deter offenders.

Illegal dumping has long been a persistent blight in many Philadelphia neighborhoods. It affects property values, public health, safety, and the overall livability of streets and blocks. With the launch of the new task force, the city is shifting from reactive cleanups toward strategic prevention and accountability.

Rather than simply cleaning up the mess after it happens, this initiative aims to prevent dumping through deterrence, swift enforcement, and strategic monitoring.

Streets, Walkways, Education and Enforcement Program (SWEEP) Officers and Park Rangers were specially trained to write Notice of Violations (NOV) which are higher civil penalties.

The NOV process places the burden of proof on the dumpers and allows for stiffer penalties. When fines assessed for illegal dumping are not paid through the issuance of a NOV, Task Force members will send cases directly to the Law Department for further investigation

Previously, dumping fines were modest and often didn't deter repeat offenders. Now fines range:

• Up to $2,000 per item for dumping without a vehicle.
• Up to $5,000 per item, per instance when a vehicle is used.

The legislation also makes cleanup costs recoverable, and those who hire illegal dumpers can be held liable as well. Additionally, the Philadelphia Parking Authority can now impound vehicles caught in the act of illegal dumping.

The Illegal Dumping Task Force members include a robust network of intergovernmental partners, including the Office of Clean and Green, City of Philadelphia Licenses and Inspections, Philadelphia Law Department, Philadelphia Police Department, Philadelphia Parking Authority, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, Department of Sanitation, Department of Streets, Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP), and the District Attorney's Office.

The launch of Philadelphia's Illegal Dumping Task Force marks an important turning point. It suggests that the city is done accepting illegal dumping as merely a messy nuisance and is instead treating it as a serious quality-of-life offense warranting the kind of attention often reserved for more visible public safety threats.

For residents, this means an opportunity to regain cleaner streets, safer sidewalks, and better neighborhoods. For the city, it's a strategic investment in prevention, enforcement, and accountability. It won't be easy, and the problems are deep-rooted, but this is a welcome, concrete step.