The Conference is open to anyone interested in addressing illegal dumping, because illegal dumping knows no bounds, and everyone has a role to play. The Conference is appropriate for governmental entities (Counties, Cities, Special Districts, etc.), for-profit and non-profit organizations, community groups and individuals.

The 5th Statewide Conference on Illegal Dumping (IDCon5) seeks to elevate and disseminate best practices for addressing illegal dumping throughout the State of California.

The theme of IDCon 5 is Breaking the Cycle: Systemic Solutions for Illegal Dumping. Building on years of consensus around core strategies—The Three E’s (education, eradication, enforcement), partnerships, and more—this year’s conference will focus on how to integrate those approaches into lasting, scalable systems. Insights from a statewide survey of experts addressing illegal dumping will help frame key discussions and highlight the growing need for long-term, structural solutions

Education is an upstream approach that seeks to increase understanding of what Illegal Dumping is as well as how to prevent and respond to it. For example, by educating communities about proper waste disposal methods future illegal dumping can be prevented.

Eradication is the process of removing Illegal Dumping. Studies of illegal dumping hotspots have shown that illegal dumping attracts more illegal dumping, which is why timely removal of illegal dumping is so important.

Enforcement a downstream action that is key to addressing illegal dumping. There must be deterrents in place for those who seek to take advantage of communities by dumping their waste improperly. If all that is happening is eradication, then it’s just a free garbage service for illegal dumpers. Enforcement prevents repeat offenders, and deters potential dumpers.

You can find more information on our Illegal Dumping page, including past Illegal Dumping Conferences.