Every Litter Bit Hurts

Illegal dumping and littering have big consequences that small actions can avoid.

The consequences of illegal dumping are much more than a $10,000 fine; local governments in California spend tens of millions of dollars to remove illegally dumped materials. But even then, the cost to human health and the environment is immeasurable.

What is Illegal Dumping and Littering?

At the most basic level, illegal dumping and littering refer to the act of discarding waste where it doesn’t belong. Typically, “illegal dumping” refers to improperly discarding large volumes of material while “littering” refers to improperly discarding smaller volumes. Whether it be mattresses left on the sidewalk, appliances left on the highway, or plastic bottles left on the ground, littering and illegal dumping are huge issues for the health of our waterways and community.

Choking Our Waterways

Aside from the visual impact of illegal dumping and littering, many illegally dumped materials and litter contain:

Chemicals like PFAS (long-lasting chemicals that break down very slowly and have been linked to many health problems)
Heavy metals
Pesticides
Other toxins

When discarded items are left outside on streets, sidewalks and vacant lots, sun exposure, wind and rain can cause these things to break into smaller fragments that are more easily mobilized and carried to storm drains and waterways. Toxins can also leach into water and may travel through the soil into underlying aquifers.

Additionally, marine life is known to ingest microplastics, which are small particles that humans may consume when we eat seafood. Non-aquatic wildlife may also mistake debris for food, and the overall ecosystem can suffer. Even If not consumed, a wide array of pollutants can end up in the same waterways that provide the fish that we eat and the recreational opportunities we all enjoy.

Provide Solutions, Not Pollution

We must all be diligent to protect our waterways against litter and illegally dumped materials and hold our community accountable. Here are some ways you can be part of the solution:

Remember that ONLY water should go down the storm drains. Never drain wash water, chlorinated pool water, automotive fluids, paints, or other contaminants down the storm drain system.
Stay vigilant and properly dispose of your items. Learn what items are household hazardous waste (HHW), and find your nearest HHW disposal center here.
Participating in a community cleanup is a great way to get involved. Check out our event calendar for the next cleanup near you.
Whenever possible, go reusable. Carry a refillable water bottle when you’re out and about, ask for a reusable cup when enjoying coffee at a cafe, and shop at bulk goods stores that allow you to use reusable containers. We featured one such local zero-waste shop in a recent blog post.
If you witness or discover illegal dumping, the best thing you can do is report it.

City-Specific Resources to Report Illegal Dumping

Municipality	Number(s) to Call	Email, Form, or App	Report Illegal Dumping In Progress
Atherton	(650) 363-4125
Belmont	(650) 595-7425	pworks@belmont.gov
Brisbane	(415) 508-2130
Burlingame	(650) 558-7670	accessBurlingame	Police Department: (650) 777-4100
Colma	(650) 757-8888 after hours: (650) 997-8321	Online Form
Daly City	(650) 991-8200	Daly City iHelp App	Police Department: (650) 992-1225
East Palo Alto	(650) 853-7253	Online Form	Police Dispatch: (650) 321-1112
Foster City	(650) 286-3238	Foster City Access App
Half Moon Bay	(650) 726-8288
Hillsborough	(650) 375-7444 (650) 330-6600	ACT Menlo Park App	Police Department: (650) 375-7470
Millbrae	(650) 259-2300
Pacifica	(650) 738-7344 (650) 738-3760	Online Form	Police Department: (650) 738-7314
Portola Valley	(650) 363-4911	PV Connect
Redwood City	(650) 780-7464	myRWC App
San Bruno	(650) 616-7160	Online Form
San Carlos	(650) 802-4261	Online Form building@cityofsancarlos.org
San Mateo	(650) 522-730		Police Department: (650) 522-7700
South San Francisco	(650) 829-3848		Police Department: (650) 877-8900
Unincorporated SMC		Report It! SMC
Woodside	(650) 372-620