 Environmental Laws
Penalties under the Texas Litter Abatement Act
Class C Misdemeanor - 5 pounds or less or a volume of 5 gallons or less.
Class B Misdemeanor - More than 5 pounds but less than 500 pounds or a volume of more than 5 gallons but less than 100 cubic feet.
Class A Misdemeanor - 500 pounds or more but less than 1,000 pounds or has a volume of 100 cubic feet or more but less than 200 cubic feet or is disposed for a commercial purpose and weighs more than 5 pounds but less than 200 pounds or has a volume more than 5 gallons but less than 200 cubic feet.
State Jail Felony
1,000 pounds or more, has a volume of 200 cubic feet or more, or is disposed of for a commercial purpose and weighs 200 pounds or more, has a volume of 200 cubic feet or more, or is contained in a closed barrel or drum.
Upgrading Charges and Felonies
If a person has been previously convicted of violating this Act, that person's punishment will be upgraded to the next highest category for any subsequent violation. For example, if a person has a prior conviction of a Class A misdemeanor, that person's punishment will be bumped up to a state jail felony the next time he/she is convicted.
Common Illegal Dumping Violations
- Throwing litter out of a car or boat
- Disposing of old cars by rolling them into a river
- Hauling trash for profit and dumping it on land that is not a legal landfill
- Letting someone else dump waste on your property, whether they pay you or not
- Pouring used motor oil or restaurant grease into storm drains or down manhole covers
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