FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Sheriff's Office and Recycling Department Partner to Stop Illegal Dumping

The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office, and the Solid Waste and Recycling Department, are partnering on an initiative to end illegal dumping in Calhoun County. Especially on rural roads countywide and on roads that are out of sight of nearby homes, items are being left behind that belong in trash or recycling. Ranging from tires and appliances to mattresses, furniture, and miscellaneous household items, this problem is pervasive and creates unnecessary work and costs for local, often rural communities. Sheriff Steve Hinkley wishes to remind the public that it is illegal to leave trash on the side of the road in undesignated areas. If your garbage is located along the roadside, and in many cases it is possible to identify the households responsible, you could be subject to legal action. Fines for illegal dumping could reach $500, plus possible civil clean-up expenses. In some cases, households hire people to clean their property for rental or remodeling, and the hired cleaners avoid proper disposal fees by dumping garbage in rural areas of our communities. If you hire someone to clean up your property, request a copy of their business insurance and a disposal receipt from a landfill or garbage service. If you see someone dumping trash or tires along the roadside and it is safe to do so, obtain a vehicle description, license plate number, and description of the occupants, and report the incident to 911 immediately.

Let’s Work Together to Clean Up Our Roads To clean up trash that already exists and work toward ending illegal dumping in Calhoun County, the Solid Waste and Recycling Department has started a grant program to assist with cleanup. Local groups and municipalities that are interested in and willing to lead roadside cleanup efforts can apply for a grant that will support the materials needed to properly dispose of trash. In collaboration with the local municipality, the goal is to clean up roadsides in every part of Calhoun County over the next 2-3 years. We know that some items that are found on roads, such as tires, liquids, bagged yard clippings, and oil, are not accepted at landfills, and so the Solid Waste Department will assist in the disposal of those items. Also, the Department can assist with ensuring dumpsters and other materials are acquired at reasonable cost. Groups that are encouraged to apply are, township residents, service groups, conservation organizations, scouts, neighborhood associations, or church groups. Before applying, it is recommended that the group have a plan for roadside cleanup, including a location where a dumpster can be placed. The application and information about the program can be found on the Solid Waste and Recycling website, calhouncountymi.gov/recycling, or linked here.

For media inquiries, contact Lucy Blair, Communications Director for Calhoun County lblair@calhouncountymi.gov