Illegal dumping has been a real problem, especially in the last few decades. People often haul their trash in remote areas without thinking about the environment. Many animal species are losing their natural habitats because of illegal junk dumping. The problem is spreading at an alarming rate, and we need to do everything we can to stop it. The technology nowadays makes reporting these activities to the authorities easier than ever.

Health risks

The direct health risks include physical and chemical injury to people who are coming into contact with the junk such as rusty metal, nails, syringes, shattered glass, and more.

Other health risks include exposure to hazardous and toxic chemical elements from batteries, household appliances, industrial waste, tires, and more. When these things get illegally tossed in a remote area, animal life, soil, and even people get endangered. There are hundreds of tons of illegal waste across the United States, and most of them are located near rivers, large sewers, and landfills.

These illegal dump yards act like a great environment for mosquitoes, rodents, and other pests. We all know that rodents are a perfect base for many diseases and that poses a significant health threat to the people living nearby. Furthermore, insects thrive in warm and moist conditions that can be created by illegally dumped waste. In fact, a recent study showed that mosquitoes multiply hundred times faster in moist and warm conditions inside a tire casing.

It costs a lot of money

Even if you’re not a direct perpetrator, that doesn’t mean you’re not paying for it. The old adverb “Out of sight, out of mind” doesn’t apply in this case. If you’re wondering how can you be the one who’s paying, it’s pretty simple – taxes. Cleaning the illegal landfills can cost several million dollars per year. For example, it costs around $10 million for taxpayers per year to clean up litter and trash in Pennsylvania.

Illegal dumping also brings down property value in the area due to safety concerns and aesthetics. It affects the commercial and residential improvement which means that local economy suffers as well.

What can I do to help?

The prevention is one of the first steps. If you don’t have the power to prevent illegal dumping, go ahead and report it to your local authorities. Also, if you own a smartphone or a tablet, there are numerous apps available for reporting this felony.