Waste Crime in America: Which States Are Most at Risk and Why?

New data reveals some U.S. states are more likely to experience illegal waste dumping than others. Our waste expert dives deep into the waste management challenges across the nation

• Massachusetts is the top U.S. state where waste crime is most likely to occur

• Alaska is the U.S. state least likely to experience waste crime

• Industrial waste is illegally dumped the most

Waste crime, the illegal disposal of waste, is a growing concern in the United States. Newly revealed data highlights a troubling correlation between the volume of state waste and the number of waste centers available per population. This data sheds light on the critical waste management challenges facing various states across the nation.

Massachusetts tops the list as the U.S. state most likely to experience waste crime, with Alaska being the least likely. The primary culprit behind this issue is the illegal disposal of industrial waste, which is frequently dumped due to inadequate waste management infrastructure relative to the population size.

Brian McDaid, from Eagle Dumpster Rental, presents the data and explores the states most and least likely to experience waste crime, the reasons behind these trends, and the importance of proper waste disposal.

States Most Likely to Experience Waste Crime

Table 1: The states with the least waste centers per population

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is the U.S. state most likely to experience waste crime, with a ratio of waste centers per 100,000 people standing at a mere 0.14.

This means that for every 100,000 residents, there are only 0.14 waste centers available, or one center serving a population of roughly 700,000, creating significant pressure on existing facilities.

“The scarcity of waste centers leads to increased instances of illegal dumping as residents and businesses struggle to find legal disposal options. Industrial waste, which is often bulky and difficult to manage, is particularly prone to being dumped illegally in such scenarios,” Brian said.

District of Columbia

The District of Columbia follows closely with a ratio of 0.15 waste centers per 100,000 people, or one center for a population of 678,972.

“The high population density and limited space for waste management facilities exacerbate the problem,” Brian noted.

Connecticut

Connecticut, with a ratio of 0.17 waste centers per 100,000 people, or one for every 602,862 people, also faces significant challenges in waste management.

The state’s limited number of waste centers cannot adequately serve its population, leading to illegal dumping.

“The state’s stringent environmental regulations may inadvertently contribute to the problem by making legal disposal more complex and costly,” Brian said.

States Least Likely to Experience Waste Crime

Table 2. The states with the most waste centers per population

Alaska

Alaska is the U.S. state least likely to experience waste crime, boasting a ratio of 25.50 waste centers per 100,000 people, or one center per 3,921 people.

“The state’s huge geographical area and relatively low population density further minimize the possibility of illegal dumping,” Brian said.

“Moreover, Alaska’s strong environmental policies and community awareness programs contribute to effective waste management,” he added.

Wyoming

Wyoming, with a ratio of 8.39 waste centers per 100,000 people, or one center for every 11,919 people, also sees low instances of waste crime.

“The state’s proactive waste management policies and the availability of numerous waste centers make legal disposal accessible and convenient,” Brian noted.

Montana

Montana’s ratio of 5.83 waste centers per 1,000 people, meaning one center per 17,163 people, places it among the states least likely to experience waste crime.

“The state’s efficient environmental regulations as well as strong community engagement in waste management practices have contributed to its low illegal dumping rates,” Brian said.

Most Commonly Dumped Items

Table 3: The most illegally dumped items

Among the most commonly dumped items are:

Industrial Waste

Industrial waste is the most commonly dumped item illegally.

This is primarily due to its bulk size and the high costs associated with legal disposal.

Construction Materials

Construction materials, including debris and leftover building supplies, are often dumped illegally.

These materials are bulky and difficult to transport, especially in states with limited waste centers.

E-Waste

Electronic waste, such as TVs, appliances, and other gadgets, is frequently disposed of illegally.

E-waste has hazardous materials that may harm the environment if not properly disposed of.

Importance of Proper Waste Disposal

Proper waste management infrastructure and community awareness are crucial in combating waste crime.

“Addressing this issue requires a multifaceted approach, including increasing the number of waste centers, enforcing stricter regulations, and raising community awareness about the importance of legal waste disposal,” Brian says.

ENDS

About Eagle Dumpster Rental

Eagle Dumpster Rental provides reliable and efficient dumpster rental services across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Connecticut, and Washington DC. With over 25 years of experience, they offer timely delivery and pick-up of roll-off containers for various needs, from large-scale construction projects to small residential cleanups. Committed to transparency, they provide clear and detailed quotes without hidden fees. Their customer service team is dedicated to ensuring a hassle-free experience, offering same-day delivery and pick-up to meet customer demands.

Methodology

We have compiled a file that includes waste centers across the U.S., distinguished by state codes. We used the state codes to categorize them and then used the count function to tally the number of waste centers each state has.

Population obtained the data from worldpopulationreview.com.

For queries per 100,000 people, we calculated the ratio of waste centers per 100,000 residents for each state by dividing the number of waste centers in that state by its population with a ratio of 100,000. This number can be interpreted as the following: the smaller the number, the less waste centers there are to meet the population’s needs. Conversely, the larger the number, the more waste centers there are to meet the needs of 100,000 residents, leading to a decrease in littering.