Illegal Dumping Program Data

Oakland Public Works (OPW) routinely collects data on the performance of our illegal dumping abatement, prevention, and enforcement programs. This page provides a snapshot of that data for the community.

This page provides illegal dumping program data. To learn more about our illegal dumping strategy and affordable ways to dispose of waste and bulky junk, visit the Oaktown PROUD page. Report illegal dumping using OAK311.

Interactive Data

The interactive chart above—updated daily—allows you to view the number and type of illegal dumping service requests to which OPW responded by day, month, or year. Click the arrows in the bottom right-hand corner to enlarge and use it.

Illegal Dumping Annual Data

Map of Illegal Dumping Work Orders FY21-22

Web Graphic ID Work Orders FY21 22 Map 03 22 24

Public Works completes thousands of illegal dumping service requests and work orders each year. OPW crews picked up 46,415 piles (work orders) of illegally dumped material in Oakland between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 (Fiscal Year 21-22).

A note on terminology: Every debris pile picked up by an OPW crew is recorded in our system as a work order, whether the pile was reported to us by a community member via OAK311, or identified by an OPW crew during a proactive patrol or clean-up. Service requests include only those work orders performed in response to OAK311 requests.

Number of Debris Pick-ups by Year

Illegal Dumping Service Requests and Work Orders by Fiscal Year FY16-17 through 21-22

The number of debris pick-ups performed by OPW crews has increased significantly in recent years to keep pace with higher rates of illegal dumping. In FY 2016-2017, crews performed 27,392 pick-ups. Five years later, they performed 46,415 pick ups: a 69% increase.

85% of dumping service requests are completed within 3 days. On average, it takes 2 days to complete a service request.

Volume of Debris Removed by Year

Bar graph of illegal dumping tonnage

Unsurprisingly, the volume of dumped material picked up by OPW crews has also increased significantly in recent years. In FY 2017-2018 crews removed approximately 10,943 tons of dumping. In FY2021-2022, they removed 17,193 tons: a 57% increase.

Illegal Dumping by Council District 2021- 2023

2024 02 Illegal Dumping SRs and WOs by FY and Council District

Our data shows that the neighborhoods most impacted by historic and ongoing systemic inequities also experience higher rates of illegal dumping. That is why OPW created a Garbage Blitz Crew, which proactively patrols known illegal dumping hot spots. 

While our Rapid Response Crew continues to respond to OAK311 requests across the City, introducing the proactive Garbage Blitz Crew has allowed us to boost service in the areas that need it most. This data-driven approach promotes both efficiency and more equitable outcomes. 

OPW is also taking steps to ramp up education and enforcement efforts in our hardest hit neighborhoods.

Bulky Services Data

All Oakland residents, whether living in a single-family home or apartment building, have multiple cost-free options for disposing of large unwanted items (bulky junk). Every household is entitled to:

  • One free drop-off every year at the Davis Street Resource Recovery Complex, located at 2615 Davis Street in San Leandro.
  • One free curbside pick-up every year. Residents of single-family homes (as opposed to apartment-dwellers) may schedule a second free curbside pick-up, 45 days after having used both their drop-off and first annual pick-up.
  • Drop off bulky junk at one of the City's Bulky Block Parties, held the 4th Saturday of the month, January through October. No appointment necessary.

For drop-off and pick-up services, call 1-888-WM-BULKY or request an appointment online. Renters can schedule these services directly - there is no need to schedule through a landlord or property manager.

Bulky Junk Self Haul Service Use in 2022

Table of Bulky Self Haul Appts Used 2022

In 2022, Oaklanders completed 1,559 bulky junk drop-offs, also called self-haul appointments. That's just 9% of the total available appointment slots. This means Oaklanders could have dropped off an additional 66,564 cubic yards of material (imagine 6 Goodyear blimps full of junk) for free.
 

Bulky Junk Curbside Pick Up Service Use in 2022

Table of Curbside Bulky Pickup Service Used By District 2022

In 2022, only 32,720 (roughly 17.5%) of Oakland households took advantage of their free annual bulky junk pick-up. This means Oaklanders could have had an additional 617,005 cubic yards of material (imagine 56 Goodyear blimps full of junk) picked up for free at their doorsteps.
 

Enforcement Data

Oakland Public Works deployed illegal dumping enforcement cameras in 2022.
Oakland Public Works deployed illegal dumping enforcement cameras in 2022.

OPW has ramped up its enforcement efforts by re-establishing the Environmental Enforcement Officer (EEO) program in 2019 and deploying a camera system to catch illegal dumpers in the act. The EEO team now includes 10 budgeted positions. Officers patrol and monitor hotpots and review footage from illegal dumping surveillance cameras to issue citations and deter future dumping.

EEOs have issued more than 2359 citations since the program was relaunched. Citation data from Nov 2022 - Apr 2023 was lost due to the ransomware incident, however remaining records show that in 2022, at least 617 citations were issued (43 as a result of camera footage). In 2023, at least 405 citations were issued, 42 as a result of camera footage.

EEOs help ensure all Oakland residents and businesses are enrolled in garbage service. The City is alerting businesses to this requirement during their annual license renewals so that they can enroll promptly and avoid fines. Businesses can click here to enroll in garbage service.. 
 

Illegal Dumping Citations 2021 2022 2023

Citations via Camera

43

42

Other Citations

1014

574

363

Prevention Information and Resources

Free bulky junk curbside pick-up is available to all Oaklanders.
Free bulky junk curbside pick-up is available to all Oaklanders.

Don't Dump Your Junk!

  • Get oversize household items picked up from your doorstep, or drop them off at the Waste Management transfer station for FREE. You may be entitled to more than one free pick-up and drop-off a year. Learn more and make an appointment here or call 1-888-WM-BULKY. 
  • Call Waste Management of Alameda County to initiate weekly curbside pickup service if you don't have it already. Call (510) 613-8710, e-mail csnorthbay@wm.com or enroll online.

Be Careful When Using Haulers!

  • Request dump receipts from anyone hauling unwanted items from your home or business before paying. A “good deal” may mean your stuff is being illegally dumped in Oakland, for which you could be cited and fined.
  • Make sure any junk hauler you hire has an active business license. A list of licensed junk haulers is available here.
  • Businesses that haul construction and demolition (C&D) material must have a special C&D permit. A list of permitted C&D haulers is available here.

Report Illegal Dumping!

  • Report illegal dumping when and where you see it on the OAK311 website or by dialing 311 or (510) 615-5566.
  • Use the OAK 311 app on your smart phone to photograph and report illegal dumping. Available free in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Volunteer to Keep Oakland Clean & Beautiful!

Join the Team!

  • Waste Management of Alameda County is hiring in Oakland. View available jobs here.

Documents and Reporting

This section contains reporting on illegal dumping programs prepared by Oakland Public Works.

Posted: March 25th, 2024 11:27 AM

Last Updated: May 10th, 2024 11:37 AM

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