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Refuse/Waste - What To Do

What if I discover illegal dumping on my property?

Report illegal dumping to local law enforcement authorities or the local health department immediately:
  • City of St. Louis
  • City of East St. Louis

    Protect yourself against future illegal dumping:
  • Put up barriers (locked cables and gates) to prevent physical access to the property.
  • Post warning signs such as "NO DUMPING" or "NO TRESPASSING."
  • Clean up dump sites as soon as possible so as not to encourage others to dump.
  • Notify local law enforcement and health departments as well as keep a log book. Record the date, time, a description of what is dumped, and which authorities you notified each time you find signs of illegal dumping.
  • Ask local law enforcement officials to patrol the problem area more frequently.
  • Alert adjoining property owners of the illegal dumping problem and enlist their help in a neighborhood watch program.


    Note: The land owner is responsible for all illegal dumping that occurs on his/her property -- even if the landowner is neither the dumper nor has any knowledge of the dump site. The language of the law, "no person shall cause or allow the open dumping of any waste," means that the landowner did not post "NO DUMPING" signs, failed to put up barriers to access, and failed to clean up any illegal dump waste.

    Essentially, the land owner has a duty to prevent illegal dumping and to clean up any pollution on their property. The dumper is also liable for any illegal dumping and is subject to enforcement action. The generator of the waste that is illegally dumped is also responsible.

    CITY OF ST. LOUIS.
    If you suspect an illegal dumping is in progress or find an illegal dump site, please contact 911 immediately. They will notify the proper authorities to secure and investigate the scene. If possible, please note a description of the suspect(s), the vehicle, and the license number. Also, contact the Citizens' Service Bureau at (314) 622-4800 or report illegal dumping on the web. For a detailed list of information that will help in the proper cleanup and investigation of the illegal dump, please click on the Illegal Dumping Contact Sheet. Also, you may be eligible for a $100 reward if the suspect is convicted!

    If you are trying to dispose of waste, but are unsure how to properly do so properly, please contact the Citizens Service Bureau at (314) 622-4800 or check the Refuse Division web site. They will give you the necessary information and assistance for the proper disposal of the waste. Note: There is currently NO program offered by the City of St. Louis which offers financial assistance to those financially unable to pay for the proper and necessary disposal costs of certain types of wastes.

    Important Numbers for Reporting and Following-Up on Illegal Dumps in the City of St. Louis:

    Citizen's Service Bureau
    (314) 622-4800

    Trash Task Force (Environmental Investigations Division)
    (314) 622-4628

    St. Louis Health Department
    (314) 612-5300 or (314) 612-5314

    Local Missouri Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
    (314) 301-7600

    Missouri DNR
    (573) 526-4752

    Missouri DNR Environmental Emergencies (24 hours)
    (573) 634-2436

    CITY OF EAST ST. LOUIS.
    If you suspect an illegal dumping is in progress, please contact Mr. Delbert Marion, Chief of Police, at (618) 482-6790, or, Police Dispatch at (618) 482-6700 immediately. Also, please contact Mr. Kelvin Ellis, Director of Regulatory Affairs, at (618) 482-6820, who will contact the appropriate authorities for proper cleanup of the illegal dumpsite. For a detailed list of information that will help in the proper cleanup and investigation of the illegal dump, please click on the Illegal Dumping Contact Sheet.

    If you see an illegal dumpsite, please contact Mr. Kelvin Ellis, Director of Regulatory Affairs, at (618) 482-6820. The Regulatory Affairs Department will: 1) Get the necessary information to start investigating and securing the illegal dumpsite; 2) Report the incident to the Police Department; and 3) Report the incident to the Public Works Department or proper authorities for proper clean-up.

    If you are trying to dispose of waste, but are unsure how to properly do so properly, please contact Mr. Kelvin Ellis, Director of Regulatory Affairs, at (618) 482-6820. The Department will give you the necessary information and assistance for the proper disposal of the waste. Note: There is currently NO program offered by the City of East St. Louis which offers financial assistance to those financially unable to pay for the proper and necessary disposal costs of certain types of wastes.

    Important Numbers for Reporting and Following-Up on Illegal Dumps in East St. Louis:

    Mr. Kelvin Ellis, Director of Regulatory Affairs
    (618) 482-6820

    Mr. Delbert Marion, Chief of Police
    (618) 482-6790

    Mr. Jesse Walker, Director of Public Works
    (618) 482-6840 or (618) 482-6841

    City of East St. Louis Police Dispatch
    (618) 482-6700

    East Side Health District
    (618) 271-8722

    St. Clair County Health Department
    (618) 233-7769

    Illinois Regional EPA Office
    (618) 346-5120

    EPA's Household Hazardous Waste Collection Program
    (217) 785-8604