Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — The city’s Pay as You Throw program has resulted in more than increased recycling, as individuals look for ways to get around higher fees for disposal of household refuse and larger items such as furniture and electronic equipment, including TVs, computers and monitors.
ILLEGAL DUMPING A PROBLEM — The Salvation Army Thrift Store, located on Main Street in Presque Isle, was recently the victim of illegal dumping, when an unknown person or persons left an assortment of electronic equipment, including computer monitors, next to the business’s dumpster. Police have received several reports of business owners finding trash other than their company’s in their dumpsters. Business owners have complained that the increased cost of garbage disposal added to the illegal dumping issues is driving up costs even more during difficult economic times. The number of reported cases have gone up since the city implemented the Pay As You Throw trash disposal program earlier this year.
The Presque Isle Police Department has received several complaints of illegal dumping of trash-filled bags and other garbage along rural roads and in the dumpsters of area businesses since the city implemented the program in April. The Salvation Army, located on Main Street, is among those who’ve filed complaints with police.
Sharon Morneault, manager of the non-profit thrift store, said she’s seen an increase in people bringing damaged items to the business.
“We had three box springs and mattresses that reeked. We’re getting filthy furniture, clothes — things that normally people would consider garbage but to get around the higher cost of disposing of such items, they’re bringing them here. Our staff often comes to work only to find useless items at our back door,” said Morneault.
She said prior to the new trash program going into effect, the store didn’t have this problem.
“It all happened when the city made the change (increased fees for disposing of trash). It’s made it very hard for places like us. People are just dropping things off,” Morneault said.
That was the case in early August when staff arriving at the store to open for the day found a large number of computer components left near their dumpster.
“We found upon arrival that someone had dropped by our dumpster numerous computer pieces — monitors and other parts. Whoever did it knew they were trash, or they would have left them near our drop box near the door,” she said.
Morneault said the store doesn’t typically take electronic equipment because they are expensive to dispose of, should they not be in working condition.
“Old televisions, monitors — ones that are working we try to sell for $1. I tell people our guidelines are simple, if you wouldn’t give it to your child for a first apartment or a sister or brother, we don’t want it,” Morneault said. “We can only use clean, cared for items.”
Morneault said the store has been hit by a double whammy of sorts, since the PAYT program increased the cost to those using dumpsters and more people have been dumping their trash in it.
“When we first moved here, we called once a week for the garbage dumpster to be emptied. But that’s been increasing — we’ve had to call more often as people find the need to take advantage of a service they haven’t paid for,” she said.
She said illegal dumping has escalated since the new trash program went into effect.
“We’re providing a service but having to deal with added trash takes away from the good work we do,” said Morneault. “It isn’t up to us to pick up the slack.”
Police have received nearly a dozen calls from area businesses reporting similar circumstances. In most cases, the identity of the person illegally dumping was found in the trash left behind. Most instances were resolved by having the person retrieve their trash.
Anyone with information or concerns about illegal dumping can call the PIPD at 764-4476 or code enforcement at 769-0881.
