Ohio Attorney General allocates $1 million to combat illegal dumping statewide

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost announced nearly $1 million in grants to over two dozen local governments to clean up illegal dump sites and prevent future dumping, as part of the 'Shine a Light on Dumpers' initiative launched in 2023. The grants, funded by settlement dollars from the Environmental Enforcement team, offer up to $100,000 for cleanup and up to $20,000 for equipment such as signs, gates, and barriers to deter dumping. Local governments, including the Richland County Sheriff’s Office and townships like Austintown, Warren, and Washingtown, will use the funds for targeted projects such as installing barriers, replacing deterrent signs, and removing debris. Yost emphasized that illegal dumping is a health hazard and a public betrayal, underscoring the importance of reclaiming impacted communities. The awards were given to applicants who demonstrated a need and spanned communities across every region of Ohio. Details on specific projects and grant recipients are available on the attorney general’s website.