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Street Can Program

The Authority is in the process of removing 51 of its 168 street cans to address the abuse of containers by illegal dumpers who are routinely using public cans for personal use.

PMUA’s Street Can Program was implemented to prevent people from littering on Plainfield streets and sidewalks. Unfortunately, residents of apartment buildings on a consistent basis are choosing to dump garbage in public receptacles in certain locations instead of using the dumpsters designated for waste disposal by their apartment buildings. 

Additionally, some store owners are also guilty of using street cans to rid themselves of garbage. According to the law, every property and business owner in Plainfield has to have a trash hauler. However, PMUA Inspections Division has identified store owners who are violating these laws and using street containers to dispose of their trash. Increasingly, some street cans have become illegal dumping hot spots. 

The Authority has been investigating this problem since 2008 and has determined specific areas where repeated illegal dumping has occurred in particular containers. To combat unsightly and potential health hazards, the PMUA’s only option is to now remove containers from these locations. Because the PMUA has several street cans in close proximity to one another, the Authority believes that removing the cans will not create more litter on our streets. “Pedestrians will now walk a little further to dispose of a candy wrapper. The only difference will be the removal of public cans located by apartment buildings and businesses which have been constantly consumed with trash by illegal dumpers,“ said James Felton of the PMUA Inspections Division.

Currently, 26 containers have been removed. Since the cans have been taken away, there has not been one illegal dumping incident in any of the 26 locations. The Authority will continue removing cans, eliminating 25 more receptacles from problematic areas by December 31st.