Berks County, PA Trash & Recycling: Illegal Dumping (2026)
Key Facts
- State law
- 18 Pa.C.S. §6501
- First-offense fine
- $50–$300
- Cleanup hours
- 5–30 hours
- Commercial dumping
- Up to $5,000+ forfeiture
- Leesport center
- Video-surveilled; dumpers cited
Summary
Pennsylvania's scattering-rubbish law (18 Pa.C.S. §6501) makes it a summary offense to dump waste on roads, others' land, or state waters, with a $50–$300 fine and litter cleanup for a first offense. The Berks Solid Waste Authority cites illegal dumpers via video surveillance in Leesport.
A person is guilty of a summary offense if he...causes any waste paper, sweepings, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse or rubbish, or any dangerous or detrimental substance to be deposited into or upon any road, street, highway, alley or railroad right-of-way, or upon the land of another or into the waters of this Commonwealth.
Full Breakdown
Illegal dumping is a Pennsylvania state crime under 18 Pa.C.S. §6501 (scattering rubbish), applied statewide including throughout Berks County. It bars depositing waste paper, ashes, household waste, glass, metal, refuse, or rubbish onto roads, alleys, railroad rights-of-way, another's land, or Commonwealth waters, and bars disturbing others' trash receptacles. A first offense under (a)(1) or (a)(2) is a summary offense; commercial haulers who dump loads (a)(3) face second-degree misdemeanor charges up to $5,000. The Berks County Solid Waste Authority keeps its Leesport recycling center under video surveillance and cites illegal dumpers. Enforcement also involves municipal police and PA authorities.
Violations & Fines
First offense (a)(1)/(a)(2): summary offense, $50–$300 fine plus 5–30 hours litter pickup, or up to 90 days jail. Repeat: third-degree misdemeanor, $300–$1,000. Commercial dumping: up to $5,000+ and vehicle forfeiture.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the penalty for illegal dumping in Berks County?
Is dumping on someone else's land a crime in Pennsylvania?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Berks County
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