Illegal dumping picks up as workers return to Central Coast

According to Monterey County Public Works, as workers return back to the Central Coast for harvest there’s an uptick of illegal dumping, that’s also the case when they return back to Yuma. Most items dumped are household items. For the only two litter guards in Monterey County, Manuel and Mike, they say it’s impossible to ever really get ahead.

“We will pick up and then later on we come back, and someone else has dropped stuff in the same area. It’s hard to get ahead,” said Manuel Robledo.

“It’s on a cycle. When they come back they have to buy other stuff. And then they do it again at the end of the season,” said Mike Gonzales.

Not only are pictures taken of the trash, but also the coordinates of where it was dumped is tracked. Each year half a million dollars goes to litter abatement, in previous years they would exceed it, but then it would be taken y from the roads so they no longer can do that. In addition to illegal dumping, it’s what they’re dumping that’s also a cause for concern. Lots of chemicals and oils found on the side of the road.

Many garbage facilities take mattresses, tires and chemicals free of charge.