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    Throughout this past summer and fall, our office has received an increase in reports of illegal garbage dumping. These reports can come in many forms and occur in several ways. Homeowners, businesses, and government sites are reporting an increase in illegal dumping activities, creating issues at multiple locations. 

   Business dumpsters are being used after and even during business hours, trash and debris are being left on private and public property, and Cass County recycling drop-off areas are being filled with garbage and non-permitted items. Now that the leaves and vegetation are off, several dumping sites on public property have been reported at an increasingly higher rate than we have seen in previous years. 

   When these sites are discovered, names and addresses are often located, along with other identifiable material, assisting law enforcement in tracking down the responsible party for the dumping activity.

   Illegal dumping is putting household or commercial garbage, litter, or other items:

   • On private property without the property owner’s permission

   • Into any garbage cart, dumpster, or container on someone else’s property

   • Into public trash containers

   It is important to know that we investigate these reports and conduct follow-ups to charge and hold those responsible for illegal dumping accountable. Illegal dumping has a direct impact on everyone. Everyone pays the cost to clean up actions of illegal dumping, which can cause property values to fall and discourage new buyers. Waste and illegally dumped items can pollute the local environment and create costs that the county needs to step in for cleanup or proper disposal of items left at transfer stations or recycling drop-offs. 

   Minnesota State Statute 609.68 defines illegal dumping as:

   Whoever unlawfully deposits garbage, rubbish, cigarette filters, debris from fireworks, offal, or the body of a dead animal, or other litter in or upon any public highway, public waters or the ice thereon, shoreland areas adjacent to rivers or streams as defined by section 103F.205, public lands, or, without the consent of the owner, private lands or water or ice thereon, is guilty of a petty misdemeanor.

   There are several causes of illegal dumping

   • Lack of options for dumping trash and other waste. However, in many cases the illegal dump sites are in somewhat close proximity to transfer stations or recycling sites. 

   • Lack of awareness or knowledge of certain restrictions by the public.

   • Increased prices for disposal services.

   • Lack of clear understanding of the law.

   • Laziness and lack of respect for private property or the environment. 

   How you can help prevent illegal dumping

   • Take your waste to the right place. Know and understand your options for getting rid of a variety of waste items. In many cases it takes much less effort to dump at a transfer station or other acceptable dump site rather than some of the areas and places where items are found. 

   • Only discard acceptable items in designated recycling bins or containers. 

   • Illegally dumped waste can create costs to clean up – be aware of what the outcome of illegally dumped waste could pose for you and others. 

   • When someone disposes of waste on your behalf, get proof of disposal and know exactly where it is going and how it is being dumped.

   In the past year especially, our county-run recycling drop-off sites have been the subject of illegal dumping. Most of these sites operate on land owned by other municipalities or organizations. Because of these issues and overflows, we have lost several of these sites, creating less opportunity for legal options to dispose of recycling. We have investigated several cases of illegal dumping at these sites and have referred them to prosecution via citations. It is important to note that many of these sites are under video surveillance. The items we have investigated dumped at recycling areas have included mattresses, electronics, appliances and construction waste.   These items are not acceptable at these locations and create a cost to the county to properly dispose of them. 

Cass County offers many options for solid waste disposal and recycling drop-off sites. A website link for an informational PDF can be found from the Environmental Services website here: 

https://www.casscountymn.gov/1222/Environmental-Services

   By assisting with education and taking enforcement action when necessary, we are attempting to reduce the incidents of illegal dumping. If you have information about an illegal dump site, please contact our office to make a report. Our STS Crews, when available, spend time cleaning up these sites on public property and properly disposing of the items.

   If you have specific questions that you would like answered in this column or in person, please feel free to contact me anytime using one of the following methods:

Email: 

[email protected]

Phone: 

218-547-1424 | 1-800-450-2677

By Mail/In Person:

Cass County Sheriff’s Office

303 Minnesota Ave W

PO Box 1119

 Walker MN 56484

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