RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Illegal dumping is a big problem in Richmond, and the president of a local group says he is happy to see the city act to help curb the issue.
A recent change in the law makes it illegal to dump yard waste on public or private property in Richmond. Chris Catanzaro, the president of Friends of Forest Hill Park, said people dumping their yard waste in places they shouldn’t has become a real issue.
“What we want people to understand is, this is not just an issue of unsightliness — this is a potentially larger problem where new problems can be introduced to parks,” Catanzaro said.
Catanzaro said Friends of Forest Hill Park works to pull out invasive species that can cause harm to the local ecosystem in the area.
“Our concern is we don’t want new weed species coming into the park, particularly invasive ones. And other problems can be introduced too, like diseases, insects and so forth. So the farther away you’re bringing trash from, the more potential there is to introduce new problems to any one area,” Catanzaro said.
Catanzaro believes the recently passed amendment to the city’s unlawful dumping ordinance will help curb this issue. “Yard waste” is now included in the list of things that Richmonders could face a $2,500 fine for dumping.
“If you have yard waste, keep it in your yard until every other week [when] pickup comes to get it,” said Catanzaro. “If you’re a commercial landscaper, unfortunately, the best thing for the environment is for you to take it to the landfill, pay the tipping fee and dispose of it properly”
To read more about a similar ordinance in Henrico County, click here. To read more about a similar ordinance in Chesterfield County, click here.
