Staff Reports

EASTVALE–  Did you know that Eastvale has an anti-scavenging ordinance?  It is illegal to search through trash containers in the city of Eastvale.  The purpose of the ordinance is to deter people from removing solid waste or recyclables from a public or private container.

The ordinance passed November 2012, after a rash of complaints from homeowners and businesses about trash scavengers.   The law states that, “It shall be unlawful for any person to do any of the following: scavenge from, tamper with, move, steal, tip, deface, or destroy any solid waste collection container, or the contents thereof.”

After State Assembly Bill 341 was signed into law July 2012, requiring cities to achieve a 75% reduction in waste by 2020, it became important for the city to accurately capture and report the amount of recycling and solid waste diversion taking place in Eastvale, in order to meet the mandatory state requirements. For waste measurement purposes, diversion is any combination of waste prevention (source reduction), recycling, reuse and composting activities that reduce waste disposed at landfills and transformation facilities.
The ordinance imposes a $100 fine for the first offense; $200 for the second offense within one year; and $500 for each additional violation within one year.

In addition, the City of Eastvale has the right to confiscate all solid waste or recyclables from any person who is in violation of or who is failing to comply with any of the requirements of the ordinance.

The anti-scavenging ordinance is enforced by the city’s Code Enforcement Department. Residents are encouraged to report any instances of scavenging to the Eastvale Code Enforcement Department by calling (951) 361-2888 or emailing:  Code_Complaint@eastvaleca.gov.
For more information about the City of Eastvale and useful recycling programs and resources, please visit: www.EastvaleCA.gov.