Lehigh Acres battles illegal dumping with over 484 cases in 2026

LEHIGH ACRES, Fla. (WINK)—A volunteer cleanup group is tackling an illegal dumping crisis that has plagued Lehigh Acres for years, with 484 cases already reported in 2026.

Keep Lee County Beautiful launched the Lehigh Litter Lifters program five months ago to combat the persistent problem of trash, tires and construction debris littering streets and vacant lots throughout the community. The group has organized more than 10 cleanup events, drawing between 10 and 50 volunteers per event.

Lee County Solid Waste collection crews are on site in Lehigh Acres weekly, and sometimes daily, to clean up dumping sites. However, residents report that trash often reappears within hours of cleanup efforts.

"To have a job done and the next day or same day, it happens. Yeah. That's crazy," said Tom Kelly, a Lehigh Acres resident.

The county refers illegal dumping investigations and potential prosecution to the Lee County Sheriff's Office.

"Sheriff Carmine Marceno is committed to keeping our county clean and safe for all residents and visitors. Carmine’s Corrections Cleanup Crew is out every single day, keeping our county clean and consistently working to prevent illegal dumping. We encourage all residents to take pride in where they live, and dispose of trash properly. If you see an illegal dumping, or suspicious activity, please report it to us immediately," Lee County Sheriff said.

Dead-end roads and less developed residential areas remain frequent dumping sites, with hotspots concentrated along SR 82/Meadow, Greenbriar, Columbus Boulevard, Hines Avenue, Joel Boulevard, Lee Boulevard and Sunshine Boulevard North.

Janeth Fernandez, who has lived in Lehigh Acres since 2012, said the dumping has been happening for years.

"People have to care about our community, that that's wrong to do," Fernandez said.

Fernandez expressed concern about the danger discarded items pose to children. She said kids are curious and might hurt themselves on sharp debris.

"I don't feel good. It's a bad situation," Fernandez said.

The Lehigh Litter Lifters Facebook group has 64 members, though organizers say community engagement extends far beyond that number. The program has partnered with local schools, the Rotary Club, Pelican Snoballs, the Fire Department, the Community Response Unit, FGCU students and the East Lee library to host cleanup events, beautification projects and environmental talks.

Keep Lee County Beautiful, which has been operating since 1989, now has a following of several thousand volunteers across the county. The organization works closely with Lee County Solid Waste, Code Enforcement, the Sheriff's Office, the Department of Transportation and other agencies through an Illegal Dump Task Force.

Kelly said he believes the cleanup program is beneficial for the community.

"I like it, man. It's a great thing, man. For the community," Kelly said.

The next cleanup event is scheduled for Saturday at Frank Mann Preserve from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., covering Frank Mann, Joel Boulevard and surrounding residential areas. Additional cleanups are planned for Jim Fleming Ecological Park on April 18 and Lehigh Community Park on April 25 for Global Youth Service Day.

Residents can report illegal dumping through Lee County's Request for Action System. Household chemical waste and electronics can be taken to 6441 Topaz Court in Fort Myers.