RAPID (Removal and Prevention of Illegal Dumping)

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rapid logo main-01 The City of Fayetteville’s RAPID response team was formed in 2021 to locate, remove and prevent illegal dumping throughout the City. Since its formation, over 300 tons of waste have been removed from illegal dump sites. The team works hard alongside our crews at Solid Waste to help keep our City clean!

The RAPID response team focuses its efforts on education and Solid Waste code enforcement. The team believes the first step to a clean City is educating residents about what, where, and how to dispose of waste, as well as why it is necessary to follow the guidelines in the ordinance. Not only does the team strive to educate residents and monitor and remove waste from several illegal dump sites, they also investigate all reports of Curbside code violations.

Illegal Dumping

Illegal dumping can harm our health, our environment, and our economy. Illegal dump sites also create a dangerous space for children and animals. Items left at these sites can contaminate our water, release chemicals into the air, catch on fire, and provides a breeding ground for pests.

The RAPID team inspects over 90 illegal dump sites weekly. The team also investigates all reports of illegal dumping and schedules cleanups for each location. All cleanups of illegal dump sites within the City are coordinated with the Solid Waste Department.

A Solid Waste crew member will operate a knuckle boom truck at each location to assist the RAPID team in removing all waste. During the inspection and cleanup of an illegal dump site, members of the RAPID team will search for evidence leading to the person responsible. The fine for illegal dumping is $500.

It is illegal to place any materials in an open place to include:

Mattresses
Boxes

Paper
Automobile tires and tubes
Automotive parts e.g. engines, axles, batteries, transmissions, etc.
Waste
Brush

Old clothes
Rags
Any combustible material or object
Food waste

Animal waste
Rotten material
Carpet
Furniture, appliances, or other metal products with jagged edges or items with doors that are attached and not secured
Mixed household, metal, and yard waste

Hazardous materials e.g. oils, cleaning fluids, paints, household chemicals, etc.
Building materials e.g. bricks, drywall, gutters, shingles, wooden fences, etc.

Curbside Code Violations

The RAPID team investigates all reports of Curbside code violations. Egregious amounts of waste or items placed incorrectly at the Curbside for Collection are violations of the Curbside Code. These violations create a safety hazard for ALL residents, including Solid Waste crew members. Solid Waste crews distribute Service Notice tags for issues found during Collection to inform residents how, when, and where to place approved waste at the Curbside for Collection.

Service Notice tags provide information about:

Household Waste
Yard Waste
Large Limb Waste
Bulky Waste

The Solid Waste Department receives the bottom portion of the Service Notice tag and notifies the RAPID team. A member of the RAPID team will then visit and assess submitted locations. If they do not find a violation, that case will be closed. If a RAPID team member finds a violation, the homeowner will be issued a Notice of Violation. They will have 10 business days to correct the issue.

A RAPID team member will inspect the location on the 11^th business day. If the issue remains unchanged, abatement will be scheduled, a citation will be issued, and the homeowner will be required to pay a civil penalty. If immediate cleanup is deemed necessary, the cleanup will be arranged by a member of the RAPID team and the responsible party must pay a civil penalty of $500.

Contact Us

Links

Solid Waste Ordinance