Recent Illegal Dumping

July 15, 2025

Recently, the WWRA has experienced two hazardous incidence of illegal dumping at our drop off bins. Whether the item is as large as a living room set or as small as a battery, illegal dumping harms our nonprofit and our community.

Illegal dumping occurs when someone dumps unrecyclable items in or outside of the WWRA’s recycling bins. Common items include furniture, construction waste, tanglers, and foam. This can be done by someone who hopes other bin users will take home the items or by someone who does not want to dispose of waste correctly. Leaving these items and any trash in or by bins is illegal and may be subject to a $1,000 fine. Instead, dispose or reuse items in a respectful manner. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Donate: Furniture, equipment, kitchen tools, containers, and clothes
Dispose of: construction waste, foam, trash, and other contaminates. Visit here for a full list of resources.

Manchester

Our WWRA workers stopped by the Manchester bin site and found a living room’s worth of furniture illegally dumped in the parking lot. This furniture was blocking parking lot spaces and access to bins for our recyclers and workers. Many people participate in illegal dumping to avoid disposal fees. Others illegally dump items in hopes of using our bin sites as a place to donate and trade goods. No matter the excuse, illegal dumping hurts our community and nonprofits like the WWRA.
Instead, dispose or donate items in a respectful manner.

Dexter

Our WWRA workers found these lithium ion batteries dumped in the bin at Dexter Township hall last weekend. Hundreds of lithium batteries, totaling 45lbs, ended up on the WWRA sorting floor, posing an extreme risk to our workers. Lithium batteries, when improperly placed in our recycling bins, can become crushed or overheated, leading to spontaneous fires and explosions. Every year, MRF workers are injured or even killed due to battery fires from improper disposal.

Lithium batteries can be brought to Washtenaw County Home Toxics center for proper disposal. Do NOT recycle lithium batteries or other battery types, and do NOT throw lithium batteries in the trash. Learn more at www.washtenaw.org/295/Acceptable-Materials