Illegal Dumping a Significant Problem in Poplar Beach

The City of Half Moon Bay has partnered with Allied Waste Services to reduce the frequency of illegal dumping in the Poplar Beach neighborhood.

The waste removal organization has increased its services to the area after councilmember John Muller and the Department of Public Works expressed concern.

“I hope our new mandatory collection will increase compliance,” said City Manager Laura Snideman. “We don’t want visitors to see a messy-looking area.”

Snideman described illegal dumping as a significant problem in Half Moon Bay. She said that the practice takes away time from city staff that could otherwise be used in bettering the community by fixing potholes or landscaping.

“I know in one particular instance it took four hours of man power to clean up the debris,” she said.

An increase in Allied Waste services began July 1, and Snideman said she hopes this will reduce the amount of debris in the neighborhood. According to Snideman, pickups have increased to five days a week.

All residents are also now eligible for free on-demand curbside pickup for any large items or waste. To arrange for a pickup, customers should contact Allied Waste.

The city has also increased surveillance of the area in an attempt to identify offenders, but Snideman opted to not reveal what methods of surveillance the city is using.

Evan Boyd, General Manager for Allied Waste, said the neighbors of Poplar Beach should keep an eye open for any suspicious activity.

“I wouldn’t necessarily put blame on residents for the dumping,” he said. “I’m ot sure that what’s being left out there is left by residents.”

Boyd said the materials found at Poplar Beach have been everything from furniture to electronic to random household items. However, a large amount of construction debris was found in the area. This, Boyd said, may be a result of contractors wishing to not pay disposal fees.

The additional waste could also be from surrounding neighbors looking for an opportune location to unload, he said.

Boyd said Allied Waste has been out to the area two to three times in the past week to pick up debris.

“It’s unfortunate but the city and Allied Waste knows we have to do it,” Boyd said of illegal dumping. “It’s got to be dealt with, it’s an eyesore and can present a health hazard.”

Snideman said that often illegal dumping becomes a community problem when local animals pry through scraps.

“The birds and raccoons will get there too and that spreads trash all over the place,” she said.

Many of the dumped items, Boyd said, are recyclable.

“If someone calls us, it gives us the opportunity to properly recycle the materials,” he said.

Because the changes have just been established, Snideman said there is not enough data to review the impact of the increased collections and surveillance. The city will perform evaluations in one month and again in three months, she said.

Until then, Boyd suggests that residents recognize their resources and be aware of intrusions.

“I would advise to put some sense of heightened awareness,” he said. “And watch for anyone backing up with a construction truck.”