Illegal dumping
Illegal dumping is a considerable problem in many areas throughout Tompkins County. It raises significant concerns regarding public health and safety, theft of services, property values, and quality of life.
Illegal dumping on back roads and uninhabited areas
Even though it is against the law, individuals sometimes dump materials that are not accepted by local waste haulers, such as bulky items, carpeting, or household hazardous wastes, or items left over from a weekend yard sale. Often, illegal dumpers are breaking additional laws relating to vehicle & hauler licensing, insurance, drug possession, or theft.
Dumping in your dumpster
Locking dumpsters are available for commercial customers from most Haulers. Call your waste hauler to arrange for one.
If a locking dumpster does not work in your situation, it helps if you can identify the source of the dumped material. If you feel comfortable approaching the dumper or violator, politely talk to them about it first. Some dumpers do not think that their dumping impacts other people or is noticed. Simply telling person who is illegally dumping to stop may resolve the situation. You may also find that a tenant or employee has given the person permission and the situation may be better addressed with them. Placing dumpsters in well-lit areas, posting signs or offering rewards to witnesses may also deter unwanted dumpers.
If these don't work or you are afraid or feel uncomfortable to approach the person illegally dumping, contact Paul Cowles and the Enforcement Officer will come out and help you determine a solution.
Poorly Maintained or Overflowing Trash Containers
Poorly maintained trash containers are unsightly and can create a nuisance or pose a hazard to public health. Overflowing trash can often be due to inadequate refuse service. The City may be able to require a property owner to increase service to prevent this problem. Contact the City Building Department for more information - 607-274-6508. The Tompkins County Environmental Health Division can also require the property owner to remedy these types of situations. Call 607-274-6688 or visit: http://www.tompkins-co.org/health/eh/index.htm.
Junk on Private Property
To report accumulations of junk on private property call the local Zoning Enforcement Officer.
| Location | Title | Phone Number |
| Village of Cayuga Heights | Code Officer | 257-1238 |
| Village of Dryden | Zoning Officer | 844-8122 |
| Village of Freeville | Zoning Officer | 844-8301 |
| Village of Groton | Zoning Officer | 898-3966 |
| Village of Lansing | Zoning Officer | 257-0424 |
| Village of Trumansburg | Zoning Officer | 387-6501 |
| Town of Caroline | Building Code Enforcer | 539-6400 |
| Town of Danby | Code Enforcement Officer | 277-4788 |
| Town of Dryden | Zoning/Code Enforcement Officer | 844-9599 |
| Town of Enfield | Code Enforcement Officer | 273-8256 |
| Town of Groton | Zoning Officer | 898-5035 |
| Town of Ithaca | Building Code Enforcer | 273-1721 |
| Town of Lansing | Zoning Officer/Planner | 533-8896 |
| Town of Newfield | Fire and Building Code Officer | 564-9981 |
| Town of Ulysses | Zoning Officer | 387-5767 |
| City of Ithaca | Zoning Officer/Building Commissioner | 274-6570 |
Litter
Keep Tompkins County full of its natural beauty and protect the place where we all live, work, and visit. Since 2002, the Tompkins County Beautification Program has worked to improve the aesthetic appearance of our communities. The goal of the Beautification Program is to improve the visual and aesthetic appearance of our communities, particularly on the main roads and gateways into the county, main streets of rural towns and villages, and in downtown Ithaca.
The Beautification Brigade works on plantings throughout the city of Ithaca, focusing on high-visibility areas like the Ithaca Commons and traffic medians on main roads. Grants are awarded to the rural communities for beautification projects at the county gateways and in towns and villages.
Look into County Beatification officer:
Chrys Gardener
Community Beautification Coordinator
Cornell Cooperative Extension
615 Willow Ave, Ithaca, NY 14850
607-272-2292, ext. 123
www.ccetompkins.org/community_beautification/index.htm
Additional Information:
Abandoned shopping carts
It is illegal to remove shopping carts from any business, and ultimately, the business providing these items is responsible for them. To help permanently resolve the problem of abandoned shopping carts, please call the businesses and provide feedback on how their shopping carts are impacting your neighborhood. There are many technological solutions for retrieval that have worked in other communities, and they are more likely to implement them if they perceive it as a serious problem. For short term resolution you can call the City of Ithaca Police at 272-3245. If none of these methods solve the problem, contact Paul Cowles at 273-6632.
268-3 of the Code of the City of Ithaca:
"It shall be unlawful for any person or his/her agent or employee to take, remove or possess any shopping cart beyond the premises of the identified owner of the shopping cart without the express permission of the identified owner."
