In 2011, Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful and the Washington County Court System Furlough Into Service Program formed a partnership with the goal of cleaning up as many illegal dumpsites as possible in the county.

The partnership brought together the cleanup expertise and knowledge of Keep PA Beautiful and the workforce and dedication of the WCCS/FITS Program.

Illegal dumpsites have existed throughout Washington County for decades, plaguing roadways, hillsides, and streams. 

Keep PA Beautiful’s Illegal Dump Survey identified 126 sites containing an estimated 634,000 pounds of trash (Map).

So far through this successful partnership, 330,435 pounds of trash and 4,229 tires have been cleaned up, providing Washington County residents with a cleaner, healthier environment and overall improved quality of life. 

In addition, the program offered rehabilitation of Washington County Court System Furlough Into Service participants and a significant cost savings to the community through more than 7,335 hours of community service with an in-kind value of $62,000. 

The partnership also worked to deter future dumping through the installation of  surveillance signs and high-tech surveillance cameras throughout the County.

Multiple offenders were captured on camera, ordered to pay fines and tasked with cleaning up the sites.

The work completed by this partnership was funded through the Department of Community and Economic Development, Washington County Commissioners – Local Share Account Fund.

For information about the Keep PA Beautiful Surveillance Camera Loan Program available to municipalities and nonprofit groups, and community resources to fight illegal dumping visit the Illegal Dump-Free PA website.   

Questions on proper disposal of waste and recycling in Washington County can be answered by Jason Theakston, Recycling Coordinator, Washington County Planning Commission, by calling 724-228-6811, or send email to: theakstj@co.washington.pa.us.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, Discover them on Pinterest and visit their YouTube Channel. 

Also visit KPB’s new Electronics Waste website.

(Map: KPB Washington County Illegal Dumpsites Survey as of 2005.)

[Posted Dec. 15, 2016]

12/19/2016