The Carbon County Sheriff’s Office has received several complaints from business owners about residential garbage being discarded in commercial dumpsters.
A reminder has been posted by the Sheriff’s Office on social media warning that anyone caught placing garbage into a garbage bin or dumpster that belongs to another person or business, could face criminal charges if a complaint is made.
The violation falls under the statute for theft of services. According to Utah Code, a person commits theft if he obtains services which he knows are available only for compensation, by any means designed to avoid the due payment for them.
The Carbon County Commission passed an ordinance last March which established fees for the disposal of solid waste at the Carbon County Landfill to offset the operating costs. Residential waste is charged the rate of $5 per load, while commercial enterprises are charged $20 per ton.
Commissioner Casey Hopes, whose oversight includes the landfill, said the operating costs have been tracked for years, and average about $400,000. There are four employees at the landfill, several pieces of heavy equipment that require regular maintenance, electrical service and other costs associated with the operation. He said all revenue collected through the disposal fees goes exclusively to the operating costs.
Fees were expected
It has been about 90 days since Ordinance number 485 went into effect. Commissioner Hopes said the tippage fees were widely anticipated. “A lot of people have been very understanding. For the most part, they have been okay with it,” he said.
The fee schedule had prompted predictions of garbage being covertly deposited in business dumpsters, as well as an increase of illegal dumping in outlying areas. A provision was added to the ordinance to establish a reward of $250 for anyone who makes a report with law enforcement that directly leads to a conviction for illegal dumping and littering.
Sheriff Jeff Wood said, “Illegal dumping in the area of Airport Road is still prevalent.” The Sheriff said he is considering having deputies patrol the area in an effort to discourage further dumping. “There are a lot of (illegal) dumps out there,” he stated. Law enforcement officers will also be on the lookout for illegal dumping in business or other commercial dumpsters.
Regarding illegal dumping, Commissioner Hopes affirmed, “As a community, we’re not happy about it, but we’re going to do our part to keep it clean. It’s good for tourism and good for economic development.” He noted the cleanup of Wood Hill as a service project during the United Way of Eastern Utah’s annual Day of Caring, and encouraged other organizations to get involved. The tippage fee will be waived for any group that volunteers to clean up illegal dumping sites.
Using someone else’s dumpster? You’re a criminal
It’s also a crime to dump on someone else’s land. Photo courtesy of Carbon County Sheriff