Illegal Dumping

Dumping in unauthorized locations is a crime, and is considered a large concern by local governments and citizens alike. Illegal dump sites are not only unsightly, they are a public health hazard and also have great economic impact. Studies have shown that illegal dumpers are much more likely to dump on property where a dumpsite already exists, causing cities to spend millions of dollars cleaning up illegal dumpsites annually to prevent more illegal dumping. Also, illegal dumpers are potentially hurting honest businesses by dumping illegally, since they are not paying proper waste disposal fees.

Illegal dump sites can lead to a number of health and safety concerns for both local citizens and the environment because they can contain broken glass, hazardous waste, exposed metals, and other dangerous materials that can harm children playing, adults working nearby, or runoff into a nearby stream polluting available water supply. Dump sites also attract rodents, snakes, mosquitoes, and other pests, making sites even more dangerous to citizens.

It is up to you to help stop illegal dumping and fight environmental crime! We encourage you to work together with your local elected officials and law enforcement agencies towards a cleaner, healthier, and safer community. Located below are some great resources and information about reporting and preventing illegal dumping.

Report Illegal Dumping by Submitting a Report here:

Report Illegal Dumping

What can you do to help?
Law enforcement officials need your help in fighting environmental crime. Citizens may help prevent illegal dumping by doing the following:

  • Always dispose of your own litter and trash appropriately, and encourage others to do the same.

  • Do not transport unsecured debris in the back of a vehicle, always use a tarp or other cover.

  • Spread the word to friends, neighbors, and other citizens that illegal dumping is a crime.

  • Organize volunteer cleanups of illegal dump sites. People are less likely to dump in clean areas.

  • Write or call your local or county elected officials and let them know that illegal dumping is a concern in your community.

How do you report an illegal dump site?
You can call the Report Illegal Dumping Hotline at 888-335-DUMP, or submit a report at

Report Illegal Dumping

Remember to leave the following information in your report:

  • City and County in which the incident occurred

  • Specific street location within the city

  • Vehicle description and License plate number of the dumping violator

  • Personal description of the dumping violator

  • Your name and telephone number, if you would like to be contacted regarding the investigation of the site

​What happens when I make a report to Report DFW Dumping?

When you submit a report on the website or place a call to the hotline, it is sent to the NCTCOG Materials Management staff, who process your report and verify location and jurisdiction. After verification, the report is forwarded to the proper authorities in that jurisdiction who will follow up, investigate, and take action. If you leave your name, phone number, and/or email, you will be contacted with a follow up of the investigation as well.

You can also submit a report at Report a Litterer.

Once TX DOT receives the information from your report, it is compared to the vehicle registration database and an exact match is located. A letter is mailed to the litterer along with a "Don't Mess With Texas" litterbag, to remind them to put their trash where it belongs.


What are the penalties of illegally dumping?

The Texas Health and Safety Code §365.012 is the state statute addressing litter and illegal dumping crimes in Texas, however penalties fall under the Texas Litter Abatement Act, and include the following:


Amount Illegally Dumped

Class C Misdemeanor

5 pounds or less

5 gallons or less

Class B Misdemeanor

5 - 500 pounds

100 cubic feet or less

Class A Misdemeanor

500 - 1,000 pounds

100 - 200 cubic feet

Class A Misdemeanor (Commercial Dumping)

5 - 200 pounds

200 cubic feet or less

State Jail Felony

1,000 pounds or more

200 cubic feet or more

State Jail Felony (Commercial Dumping)

200 pounds or more

200 cubic feet or more

Contained in a closed barrel or drum

Upgrading Charges and Felonies: If a violator has been previously convicted of any litter violations, the punishment can be ungraded to the next highest category for any subsequent violation. (For example, if a person has a prior convinction of a Class A Misdemeanor, the next time they are convicted, the punishment will be bumped up to a State Jail Felony).

Common Illegal Dumping Violations:

  • Throwing litter out of a car or boat

  • Disposing of old cars on private or public property


  • Letting someone else dump waste on your property, whether they pay you or not

  • Pouring used motor oil or restaurant grease into storm drains or down manhole covers

  • Dumping mattresses, couches, or other furniture on the side of the road