Clean Philadelphia NOW Applauds New Philadelphia Law To Impound Vehicles Of Illegal Dumpers Caught On Camera

On July 29, the Clean Philadelphia NOW coalition applauded Philadelphia City Council and Mayor Cherelle Parker for enacting a new ordinance to impound the cars of anyone caught on camera illegally dumping waste throughout the city.

Introduced by Councilmember Mark Squilla in May and signed by Mayor Parker on June 26, Bill No. 250439 prohibits “the stopping, standing, or parking of a motor vehicle on a public street or as otherwise prohibited for purposes of short dumping and authorization of enforcement through a camera-based enforcement system.” 

It also creates an additional $500-$1,000 fine to get the car back, in addition to other fines for each incident and each illegally dumped item. The new ordinance went into effect over the weekend.

“Philadelphia has 300 cameras at long-standing illegal dumpsites, but enforcement has been a challenge,” said Maurice Sampson, Eastern Pennsylvania Director, Clean Water Action and Coalition Partner. “Now, the city will be able to use the cameras to take people’s cars away, based on photographic evidence provided by the cameras. This is progress, and on behalf of our Coalition, we are grateful to city leadership for taking a strong stance, though enforcement is key.” 

“For far too long, people have illegally short dumped on our city,” said Councilmember Mark Squilla. “This legislation enables the Philadelphia Parking Authority to assist the Sanitation Department by impounding vehicles caught short-dumping. I expect this new law will help to curb illegal dumping in our city and am proud to have sponsored it.”

Carlton Williams, director of the Office of Clean and Green Initiatives, addressed this new ordinance in a press conference on July 9 about the end of the District Council 33 strike.

Legacy Dumpsites are locations – often in residential neighborhoods – that are subject to an endless cycle of dumping and cleaning, due to the absence of adequate prevention and enforcement policies by the city government.

Clean Philadelphia NOW’s “End Legacy Dumping, Break the Cycle” citywide campaign calls for systemic change – prevention, abatement, enforcement, and education – to permanently end dumping in Philadelphia by 2028. 

The campaign is organized by Trash Academy, Clean Water Action, and Block by Block Philly in coalition with neighborhood groups, engaged citizens, and non-profits throughout the city.

Visit the Clean Philadelphia NOW website for more information.

Related Article:

-- Keep PA Beautiful Awards $500 To Westmoreland County Conservation District, Winner Of PA Assn. Of Conservation Districts’ Trash Cleanup Challenge  [PaEN]

[Posted: July 29, 2025]  PA Environment Digest