PORTSMOUTH — City leaders are working to crack down on illegal dumping costing the city thousands of dollars each year by changing how it collects bulk waste.
Portsmouth officials say current bulk waste collections are inefficient because residents have no way to schedule pickups in advance. That puts a strain on city resources and leads to potential environmental hazards and complaints from residents.
The problem is exacerbated by a growing issue of illegal dumping across the city, which makes up a significant chunk of bulk pickup operations.
Public Works Director Jerod Roberts detailed the issue to City Council members last week and provided a few possible solutions to consider. That includes the establishment of an advanced bulk pickup scheduling system and stricter code enforcement and financial penalties.
Roberts said Tuesday through Friday of each week, seven trucks pick up bulk trash across the city. Once weekly, all trucks are sent out to “patrol” the streets for anything missed. Additionally, drivers spend significant time sorting bulk waste to separate out construction debris and “white goods” such as appliances. The type of bulk can determine whether it’s delivered to the regional landfill, processed at the new advanced waste facility or taken to Craney lsland disposal area.
Illegal dumping has been a growing concern, particularly for the Brandon Square area, where the city recently placed signs and worked with law enforcement to install surveillance. But Roberts said it is a citywide problem, and contractors are often the culprit.
Items collected from illegal dumping make up a significant chunk of the overall operational cost. Roberts cited an annual collection cost of $905,175, with $271,552 from collecting and disposing of bulk trash illegally dumped on the street or public right-of-way. Seasonal trends show it happens most often in the spring, he added.
“There are 40 stops for a 10-hour day with seven trucks. There’s 40 stops. That means 80% of the day, drivers just drove up and down the street trying to identify what was bulk and what was an appliance or what was considered illegal dumping,” Roberts said. “That would be like the equivalent of the mailman driving up and down the road and delivering 40 pieces of mail throughout the entire city.”
In addition to the dollars it costs due to operational inefficiencies, it can also cost the city future business as it creates blight and negative environmental impacts. Bulk items that sit out over extended periods can invite critters and rodents and result in rainwater leaching, Roberts said.
Roberts was unable to provide the expected cost savings with the systemic changes at last week’s work session. But he said Portsmouth is looking to other cities in the region as they consider harsher penalties and enforcement.
Council members expect to discuss the issue again once an ordinance is ready for consideration and adoption. Changes anticipated include mandatory advanced scheduling for bulk pickup through an online portal or via phone, with $25 administrative fees issued if unscheduled or oversized items are collected.
Staff also suggests scaling back the maximum amount of space and volume of items that can be collected.
The ordinance also is expected to allow stricter code enforcement, expedited removal and owner billing without court proceedings except in cases of natural disaster emergencies. It could also allow inspectors who work in the Waste Management division to issue citations at the property owner’s expense. That could also mean illegal dumping fines anywhere between $500 to $2,500 similar to what some surrounding cities issue, including Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Roberts said the city also would push out public education and awareness. Council member Kathryn Bryant said she liked that the bulk pickup changes coincide with the city’s transition to its new contract with Commonwealth Sortation, which will use artificial intelligence technology to more efficiently sort, dispose and recycle waste for the region.
Natalie Anderson, 757-732-1133, natalie.anderson@virginiamedia.com
