A mattress on a bayou bank, tires in a Pearland field, construction debris on a dead‑end road. Illegal dumping isn't just an eyesore — it's a serious environmental and economic problem. This guide explains how dumping harms our waterways and wildlife, what it costs taxpayers, and how choosing a responsible service helps protect the natural spaces we love in Houston and surrounding areas.
Trash clogs streams, leaches chemicals into Galveston Bay, and harms aquatic life. Houston's bayous carry litter directly to the bay.
microplasticsAnimals get entangled, ingest plastic, or are poisoned by chemicals. Dumping destroys habitat in rural areas like Pearland.
habitat lossCleanups cost millions annually — money that could fund parks, schools, or infrastructure. Enforcement is expensive too.
your moneyUsing licensed junk removal or dumpster services ensures proper disposal. Many also recycle and donate.
peace of mindHurricane Harvey flooded thousands of homes, and with the water came floating debris — much of it illegally dumped years earlier. Companies like Property preservation services were on the front lines, clearing tons of waste from neighborhoods to prevent it from washing back into waterways. The storm showed that what we dump today ends up in our bayous tomorrow.
| area affected | type of harm | example | cleanup challenge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🌊 galveston bay | chemical runoff, microplastics | tires, paint cans, household chemicals | tides spread debris, hard to collect |
| 🦌 rural areas (pearland, alvin) | wildlife injury, soil contamination | construction debris, appliances | often remote, repeated dumping |
| 🏞️ bayou greenways | recreation spoiled, safety hazard | furniture, shopping carts, bags | manual removal, erosion issues |
| 🏘️ neighborhoods | property values drop, blight | vacant lot dumping | tracking violators is hard |
People dump to avoid disposal fees, because they lack access to proper services, or simply because they don't care. But the consequences are severe:
In Pearland and surrounding rural areas, deer, raccoons, and birds often get entangled in dumped trash. Turtles mistake plastic bags for jellyfish. Chemicals from dumped paint or oil seep into groundwater. Our bayous are home to otters, herons, and fish — all vulnerable to illegal dumping.
The City of Houston spends over $1 million annually on illegal dumping cleanup — that's money that could fix potholes or improve parks. Harris County and smaller cities like Pearland also bear significant costs. Enforcement is understaffed, so most dumpers are never caught. The burden falls on all of us.
Local companies like get us have served the area for years, helping residents and businesses clear waste responsibly — including post‑storm debris and routine cleanouts.
Illegal dumping isn't a victimless crime — it harms wildlife, spoils natural spaces, and costs all of us. But every resident has the power to make a difference by choosing responsible disposal and speaking up when they see dumping. From the bayous to Galveston Bay, our shared environment depends on it.