STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The City Department of Sanitation is urging residents to help catch illegal dumpers by offering thousands of dollars in rewards.
Illegal dumping, which specifically refers to dumping from a vehicle and differs from littering, often involves disposing of a larger volume of waste in public spaces, such as a street, park, or vacant lot.
“Too often, crooked contractors steal our public space by dumping materials in streets, lots and sidewalks that they perceive to be out of the way,” said Acting New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Javier Lojan.
In the last year, DSNY cleaned at least one million pounds of illegally dumped material, though some officials estimate the total could be two to three times that amount.
Illegal dumping summonses are up 21% in fiscal year 2025 compared with the previous year, with the department issuing 872 summonses and impounding 417 vehicles. Those who engage in illegal dumping can face summonses starting at $4,000 plus cleaning costs, and their vehicles can be impounded.
To help combat this crime, the department deployed more than 300 hidden cameras across the city over the last three years. But with numbers rising, they’re urging witnesses to capture video evidence of the activity.
“We are catching more and more of these criminals with in-person surveillance and an expanded network of hidden cameras — and we also welcome assistance from the everyday New Yorkers who know these neighborhoods best,” Lojan stated. “Provide us valuable information to catch these criminals, and you could be eligible for half the $4,000 fine.”
The department operates two different bounty programs for witnesses.
The Illegal Dumping Award Program allows people to complete an affidavit or submit video evidence of illegal dumping. When the violator is fined, the witness receives 50 percent of the fine collected; fines start at $4,000. However, with this program, if the violator challenges the ticket, the witness must attend the hearing at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings. Videos can be emailed to IllegalDumpingTips@dsny.nyc.gov.
The Illegal Dumping Tip Program keeps tipsters’ identities confidential. Tipsters receive up to 50% of fines collected and do not need to appear at hearings.
The department advises witnesses not to approach or engage with dumpers at any time, and to aim to capture video evidence with a clear picture of the license plate.
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