For Immediate Release: 9/30/2015 1:19 pm
Worcester, MA (September 30, 2015) - Illegal dumping in public litter baskets has increasingly become a problem in the past few years as the City's public baskets are being overloaded with bulk garbage emptied from businesses and households. Overloaded baskets not only create an eyesore, but they also cause litter to blow out of the containers and into surrounding neighborhoods. In the City of Worcester, it is in violation of a City ordinance to put household or business trash in a public litter basket.
In an effort to prevent illegal dumping, the City passed the Public Trash Receptacles Ordinance in 2010 that states, "No person shall deposit any household or commercial garbage in a public trash receptacle." Any person in violation of the ordinance is subject to a fine of up to $300.
The DPW&P is stepping up the enforcement of illegal dumping into City owned trash receptacles whether they are in city parks, on the sidewalk or on other city property. The trash bins will be clearly marked with signs stating that no household or business trash is allowed. If illegal trash is found, DPW&P will review video of the waste bin and/or search the contents of the illegally dumped trash to find any information on the offender who will then be fined for the offense.
