Fly dumping continues to be a problem locally, a couple of aldermen and neighborhood groups say, despite new rules that waste haulers must report garbage and other items discarded on streets and in alleys.
“As the weather is getting nicer, trash is becoming an issue again,” said Ward 5 Ald. Andrew Proctor, who added that he’s receiving complaints about it from residents with photos of overflowing trash bins.
The three private companies that collect trash in Springfield are required to report any fly dumping their crews see to the city under new rules for Lake Area Disposal, Waste Management and Republic Services that went into effect in September. That included raising the cap for what haulers can charge residents.
Since then, Springfield’s public works department has received about 30 calls from the companies about discarded large items that need to be picked up, director Mark Mahoney said.
Rick Davis, a representative for Lake Area, said the company’s crews have reported about 12 separate instances.
“They consisted mainly of mattresses, old furniture, things like that,” Davis said. “You really don’t know it’s a fly dump until you go by a residence or an alley or out front a few times and something hasn’t been picked up.”
Dave Schaub, municipal marketing manager for Waste Management, said his company regularly reminds workers to keep an eye out for fly dumping so they can report it to the city.
Once reported, the city’s housing division will send out an inspector to check on the issue and refer it to public works crews if needed for clean up.
“How quickly we get (it) picked up depends on if it is open garbage or items that may be dangerous. Those we try to get ASAP,” Mahoney wrote in an email. “Other items, it really depends on work load.”
Ward 2 Ald. Herman Senor said he’s concerned that the reporting requirement is consistently followed.
“This has to be a joint effort on both parts,” Senor said of the waste haulers and the city. “Waste haulers are out there every day; they can address the things they see.”
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