Identifying dump sites and researching best practices

Through research, Allegheny CleanWays gains more critical information to educate the public and advocate for policy changes at the local and State level. 

2019 Trash Audit
An audit of the trash collected during three days of cleanups in 2019. The goals of the audit were to identify material characteristics of illegally discarded trash; understand environmental and health impacts of trash; understand brands and other patterns in the trash stream; and support campaigns for reducing trash streams into the environment.

2015-16 Pittsburgh Illegal Dumping Map
A study of the City of Pittsburgh in 2015-16 that cataloged and mapped illegal dumping patterns; identified potential public health concerns tied to the items being discarded; researched how other cities have addressed similar problems; and proposed a list of recommendations the City of Pittsburgh should enact to deter illegal dumping. ACW’s goal is to use this information to both educate and empower residents to petition the city and other local governments to make the recommended changes.

Publications
​2009 Illegal Dump Survey for the City of Pittsburgh
​2015-16 Illegal Dumping in Pittsburgh: Hazelwood & Hilltop Neighborhoods Study
2017 Allegheny County Illegal Dump Site Survey and Assessment
​2017 Allegheny County Illegal Dump Site Survey and Assessment Executive Summary
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2022 Policy Whitepaper on Single-Use Plastics - This document was prepared by the Plastics Collaborative, ​a network of organizations that identifies and takes action on opportunities to reduce single-use plastics in the greater Pittsburgh region, and of which Allegheny CleanWays is a member. The research within was not conducted by Allegheny CleanWays.