Grand Traverse County officials are pushing residents to take an active role in identifying and cleaning up illegal dumpsites, offering both a statewide reporting tool and local volunteer opportunities to address a persistent environmental and public health concern.

Residents can report unauthorized dumping through Michigan’s Adopt‑A‑Forest tool and can volunteer with county partners such as Boardman River Clean Sweep to help remove trash and hazardous debris. The county’s Resource Recovery team coordinates cleanup efforts and provides advice on next steps for reporting, remediation and disposal; residents seeking assistance are asked to contact RecycleSmart@gtcountymi.gov. Additional information about the program is available on the county website at gtcountymi.gov.

Illegal dumping affects more than curbside aesthetics. Abandoned tires, household hazardous waste, and mixed refuse can contaminate soil and groundwater, attract pests, and pose physical dangers to children and people who use green spaces for recreation. For a county bordered by inland lakes and the Boardman River, the proximity of dumpsites to waterways raises concerns about pollution moving downstream into ecosystems and drinking-water sources.

Beyond environmental risks, illegal dumping often concentrates in under-resourced neighborhoods and rural corridors where public services and enforcement can be more limited. Community-driven reporting and volunteer cleanup activities aim to reduce these inequities by directing county resources where they are most needed and by fostering local stewardship of shared spaces.

The Resource Recovery team’s role is both logistical and advisory. Coordinating volunteers, arranging for safe handling and disposal of collected materials, and liaising with enforcement or landowners when necessary are among the responsibilities county staff oversee. For residents unsure how to proceed after discovering a dumpsite, contacting RecycleSmart@gtcountymi.gov is the recommended first step to secure guidance and connect with ongoing cleanup efforts.

Volunteer groups such as Boardman River Clean Sweep have long provided grassroots capacity for removing debris along river corridors and trails. By linking these local efforts with Michigan’s Adopt‑A‑Forest reporting platform and county coordination, officials hope to speed responses to illegal dumping and reduce long-term cleanup costs borne by taxpayers.

Addressing illegal dumpsites requires sustained investment in enforcement, waste-disposal infrastructure, and public education, as well as attention to wider social factors that drive improper disposal. For now, county leaders are asking residents to report problems through the adopted channels and to consider volunteering, emphasizing that community participation is a practical step toward protecting public health, preserving natural resources and promoting environmental equity across Grand Traverse County.