Report

Report Litter

If you see large amounts of trash, garbage or litter that have been illegally dumped or just collected in a place not designated or intended as a trash disposal site, please contact us. Reporting litter allows us to track down the property owner or organization responsible for picking it up. We will look into it and get back to you or forward to the responsible organization. Please be patient while we investigate and respond. Let us know what you saw and where you saw it by calling 703-324-5230 | TTY 711 or by email.

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What Is Littering?

Littering - To dump or otherwise dispose of trash, garbage, refuse, or other unsightly matter on public property, including a public highway, right-of-way, property adjacent to such highway or right-of-way, or on private property without the written consent of the owner thereof or his agent.

Illegal dumping - The disposal of waste on public or private land or into water without a license, permit or approval from the relevant authority such as the County. Generally, refers to large volumes of household waste, including appliances, as well as any amount of toxic chemicals or hazardous waste.

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Prevent

What You Can Do

Secure your trash on collection days by using containers with a lid.
Place heavier recyclables on top of lighter materials in open recycling bins. This will prevent bottles and paper from blowing away.
Wait to place your trash and recycling out until the morning of collection day.
Storm drains are not trash cans. Never throw garbage in them
Organize or participate in neighborhood stream cleanups.
Adopt a road and keep it free of litter.
Choose a reusable bottle instead of plastic bottled water.
Choose reusable bags instead of plastic shopping bags.
Report overflowing trash cans and dumpsters.
If you see litter, pick it up and dispose of it properly. Every bottle, wrapper, and box adds up.
Secure trash and recycling before heavy rain events.
Store trash and recycling away from flood prone areas.

Floating trash washes into Accotink Creek following a storm on June 17, 2019. Storm drains in Fairfax County lead directly to the nearest waterway. Any litter on the ground ends up in our streams. Please help prevent litter.

Pilot Program

Pilot Program to Remove Litter from Waterways Begins

Fairfax County began a pilot to provide part-time, temporary work experience and compensation to shelter and drop-in clients in need and at the same time assist with litter and invasive plant removal. Currently, the county is working with Eleanor U. Kennedy and Bailey’s Crossroads Community Shelters, and The Lamb Center. There may be times that the collected litter is not hauled away immediately as we fine tune logistics of this pilot. Your patience and support are greatly appreciated.

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Resources

Public Health and Environment

Negative Impacts on Public Health and The Environment

Litter from storm drains flows directly to local creeks and streams, on to the Potomac River, the Chesapeake Bay, and the Atlantic Ocean.

Attracting rodents and insects which may breed disease
Polluting streams and lakes that flow to the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay
- Litter left on sidewalks, streets, yards or other open areas may be carried by rainwater and melting snow to storm drains. Smaller items such as motor oil and pesticides may flow into storm drains and then to rivers, lakes and streams. Large items may block storm drains, and cause road and structure flooding during storms.
Killing fish and wildlife
- Litter may harm aquatic life.
- Animals may ingest toxic substances such as motor oil, pesticides, or cigarette butts or they may swallow or become entangled in trash that finds its way into streams.
- Fertilizers from yard waste that is dumped into streams can create large algae blooms which create low oxygen zones that kill fish.
Degrading Water Quality
- Litter affects the quality of stream water that provides recreation for many county residents and is a source of public drinking water.
Destroying scenic vistas. Litter is just plain ugly!