Berwyn, IL Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)

Section 672.04(A) lists what cannot be put on public ground: garbage, trash, refuse, debris, rubbish, grass clippings or other lawn or garden waste, newspaper, magazine, glass, metal, plastic or paper container or other packaging material, abandoned motor vehicle, motor vehicle part, furniture, oil, carcass of a dead animal, nauseous or offensive matter of any kind, any object likely to injure a person or create a hazard, and anything else of an unsightly or unsanitary nature. The places covered are any street, sidewalk, alley, park or public place in the city, and the verbs are broad: cast, throw, drop, place, sweep, sift or deposit in any manner whatsoever.

Section 672.04(B) carves out three exceptions. Material deposited under a permit authorized by a city ordinance is outside the rule. So are goods, wares or merchandise deposited temporarily in the necessary course of trade and removed within two hours after being deposited. The third exception covers articles lawfully conducted into the city waterworks and sewerage system through lawful drains.

The same chapter covers related conduct. Section 672.03 bars anyone except city snow removal employees from depositing snow, ice or slush on a street, sidewalk, alley, public place or fire hydrant after a snow fall. Section 672.07(A) forbids letting refuse or animal or vegetable matter that is liable to become putrid or offensive stay on occupied premises for longer than four hours at a time, and § 672.08 bars keeping any premises in a foul, offensive, nauseous or filthy condition.

On private property, § 1060.07(B) makes it unlawful to dispose of garbage, refuse, landscape (yard) waste or recyclable materials anywhere in the city except in appropriate containers for collection by the city, the approved garbage disposal contractor or a private scavenger service designated by the city. Noncommercial residences operate under a contract with the city, while commercial residential units and commercial properties contract with licensed garbage disposal contractors or private scavenger services.