Greenway Anti-Dumping Campaign: Taking Back Our Trail

After 16 years of ongoing illegal dumping along the Richmond Greenway, Urban Tilth launched a bold Anti-Dumping Campaign in 2020 to reclaim the space and protect the health of our neighborhoods.

Key Strategies:

  • Free Dumpster Days: Hosted monthly for two years at 17th Street and the Greenway Trail, giving residents a legal, easy way to dispose of bulky items—no more dumping on the trail. This educational and community-driven effort was so effective that we now only need to hold these events 2–3 times a year.
  • Community Clean-Up Days: Held every 3rd Saturday at Unity Plaza in partnership with Rich City Rides, Moving Forward, and  Fierce Advocates, these events mobilized volunteers to clean and care for the Greenway, building community pride and ownership.
  • Education & Resources: Canvassing along the trail gives us valuable opportunities to speak directly with residents about how to properly and legally dispose of trash, including difficult items like mattresses and hazardous waste. We also create and share bilingual disposal guides and educational materials through social media and the Richmond Greenway Newsletter, always with the goal of energizing and educating our community with care and love.
  • Community Feedback: By connecting face-to-face with neighbors, we learned about the challenges they face in using city services and what kinds of waste are hardest to dispose of legally. Residents can always turn to the City of Richmond’s Clean and Green Resource Guide for information and ways to connect with city services.
  • Other Protective Actions: The City of Richmond installed clear signage at common dumping hotspots, repaired broken bollards, and fixed light poles along the trail. These improvements have helped—and continue to help—prevent illegal truck access and reduce dumping along the Greenway.
  • Security Cameras at Hotspots: We’ve heard from many neighbors that illegal dumping not only makes the Greenway look neglected, but it also makes people feel unsafe. That’s why we’re working on a plan to install cameras at key dumping hotspots. Our goal isn’t to punish—it’s to protect. With functioning cameras, we can help deter illegal activity, gain a clearer understanding of what’s happening and when, and create a safer, cleaner space for everyone to enjoy.  

This campaign is about more than just trash—it’s about respect, equity, and reclaiming public spaces for the people who live near the trail, as well as for the wildlife that calls it home. By protecting and restoring this shared space, we’re creating a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful Greenway where both communities and nature can thrive.

Help STOP Illegal Dumping on the Richmond Greenway

Join a community clean-up day below or contact our team if you have questions on how to get more involved: greenway@urbantilth.org