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Regional Illegal Dumping Patrol
Garbage and recycling › Stop illegal dumping
Find out how Metro's RID Patrol tackles the problem of illegal dumping on public property. Report illegal dumpers online or call 503-234-3000.
New tags could help fight against illegal dumping
As part of a six-month pilot program to address the growing problem of bulky waste dumping, RID Patrol will tag discarded sofas, mattresses and other bulky items, rather than immediately picking them up. Learn more
Metro's RID Patrol tackles the problem of illegal dumping in multiple ways: cleaning up dump sites, investigating evidence found at the dump sites, issuing citations to the guilty parties and working with law enforcement agencies and communities that need education and help to reduce dumping in their neighborhoods.
Alert the RID Patrol
Watch for and report illegal dumpers. Write down license plates and other identifying information. You can report online or by calling Metro Recycling Information at 503-234-3000.Report illegal dumping online
The dangers of illegal dumps
Illegal dumps diminish the quality of life and livability of the region. Illegal dumping of trash, garbage, discarded appliances, old barrels, used tires, furniture, yard debris, oil, antifreeze and pesticides can threaten human health, wildlife and the environment. Dumps can pollute local waterways and groundwater or cause injury to children playing in or around the dumps. Tires become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and other noxious insects. Some dumps have become home to rodents. Illegal dumps depress the value of surrounding land. Metro is working hard on the problem but needs everyone's help.
Beware of “freelance” haulers
You could become the victim of con artists who dump your trash illegally. The result could be an environmental eyesore and even a citation and fine for the resident who was only trying to save a few dollars.
Metro recommends using only franchised or permitted haulers to get rid of waste. That way, you can be sure your garbage is being disposed of properly, safely and legally. Residents who do use a freelance hauler should take the following precautions:
- get the person’s name and vehicle license number
- insist that the hauler produce a dated receipt from a legitimate disposal facility prior to final payment
- pay by check, rather than cash.
RID Patrol investigation and cleanup
Metro works closely with other local government agencies and local law enforcement to assure that illegal dumps are quickly and thoroughly cleaned up and investigated. Investigating officers will try to locate the owner of the trash and track down the illegal hauler. Depending on the situation, the owners of the trash may be fined or cited, along with the hauler who dumped illegally. Fines are issued to cover the cost of cleaning up and properly managing waste from dump sites. Multnomah County inmate crews assigned to Metro from the Inverness Jail clean up sites throughout much of the region.
Metro provides illegal dump cleanup services on publicly owned land. Metro can assist private property owners with investigation of illegal dumps on private property.
Agencies interested in illegal dump site reports
Solid waste agencies
- City of Portland, Solid Waste and Recycling
- Multnomah County Health Department
- Multnomah County Drainage District
- Washington County Solid Waste
- Oregon City Code Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies
Additional agencies
SOLV, the statewide Oregon nonprofit organization founded in 1969 by Governor Tom McCall.
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