Cleanup cost millions

Philadelphia spent an estimated $8.6 million cleaning illegal dumpsites from Oct. 1, 2024, to Sept. 30, 2025.

Trash came by tons

Crews removed nearly 14,000 tons of waste across the city. The cleanup cost worked out to about $619 per ton.

More than an eyesore

City Controller Christy Brady said illegal dumping drains public money while hurting daily life in neighborhoods.

“Illegal dumping is more than just a neighborhood eyesore”

311 data mapped it

The controller’s office reviewed 311 reports from 2014 through 2025 to see which ZIP codes recorded the most dumping complaints.

19134 led the city

The 19134 ZIP code, covering Kensington, Juniata Park and Port Richmond, had 17,359 reports, the most in Philadelphia.

One ZIP had 8 percent

Those 17,359 complaints made up more than 8 percent of about 207,000 reports included in the controller’s review.

Other hotspots followed

ZIP codes 19146, 19148 and 19132 also ranked high, with complaints concentrated in areas such as Point Breeze, Pennsport and Strawberry Mansion.

Missing ZIPs mattered

The study left out reports without ZIP codes. Those accounted for another 32,000 illegal waste complaints.

Repeat dumping hurts

Some sites are cleaned, then dumped on again. Brady said that cycle keeps costs rising for the city and nearby residents.

“Repeated dumping is particularly challenging”

Enforcement ramped up

Philly formed a task force, raised fines to $2,000 to $5,000, and installed more than 400 cameras near common dumpsites.

Collections lag behind

The city sought more than $4 million in judgments against dumpers in 2025 and early 2026, but had collected only about $70,000 by Tuesday.

“Collecting money from illegal dumpers remains a challenge”