Real Stories from Eastwick Residents

Dear Eastwick Friend,

Welcome back to the second issue of our EFNC Legacy Dumping Awareness Series — your weekly Sunday newsletter dedicated to raising awareness about the ongoing impact of legacy dumping in the Eastwick community. Every week for four weeks, we’re sharing stories, insights, and actions you can take to help us protect Eastwick and hold dumpers accountable.

In this week’s issue, we’re bringing you real stories from Eastwick residents — the voices of neighbors who have lived with the consequences of illegal dumping for far too long. These are the personal experiences that remind us this is more than just a trash problem — it’s an environmental justice issue that affects real people, real families, and real neighborhoods every single day.

Their stories matter. Their voices deserve to be heard. And together, we can turn these stories into action.

Let’s dive in.

Letter #2 : Real Stories from Residents Dealing with Legacy Dumping

A Community Newsletter from Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition (EFNC)

Voices From the Frontline — Testifying for Change

It was standing room only in Room 400 at City Hall.

On that day, residents from across Philadelphia gathered to share gut-wrenching stories—testimonies about illegal dumping that had plagued their neighborhoods for decades. Among them were members of the Eastwick Friends and Neighbors Coalition (EFNC), including Ramona Rousseau-Reid and Joanne Graham.

“The stories… you just wouldn’t believe them,” Ramona said. “Photos from every neighborhood. Tires, construction debris, rusted appliances—dumped on corners like no one lived there.”

One Eastwick resident, Monique, took the mic and surprised everyone. “She stood up and talked about publicizing the perpetrators, stiff fines, even confiscating vehicles and driver’s licenses,” Ramona recalled. “That wasn’t expected—but it hit the room hard.”

The message was unified and clear: this is a crisis, and it demands prevention and enforcement.

What the Testimonies Reveal About Legacy Dumping in Eastwick

The testimonies at City Hall represented more than frustration—they were a public outcry against legacy dumping, a term describing decades of unchecked, illegal waste disposal in under-resourced neighborhoods. While many urban areas in America face illegal dumping, Eastwick has become one of the most visible examples due to its geography, racial demographics, and history of environmental neglect.

Legacy dumping disproportionately affects communities of color, according to a report by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Environmental Justice Health Alliance. These neighborhoods often lack enforcement, infrastructure, and political support, allowing illegal dumpers to act without fear of consequences.

Despite various cleanup programs like CleanPHL and community volunteer events, the core issues remain unresolved. What the testimonies at City Hall made clear was this: cleanups help, but policy change is essential.

Recommendations from residents included:

• Stiffer penalties for dumpers

• Publicizing offenders

• Confiscating vehicles used in dumping

• Investing in surveillance and monitoring

• Community education and reporting hotlines

City Councilmembers Kenyatta Johnson and Jim Harrity were present at the hearing, signaling some official attention—but residents are still waiting for real policy commitments.

As Ramona emphasized, “We want to make sure that language like prevention and enforcement sticks. This is not just about trash. This is about dignity, safety, and justice.”

📣 Call to Action — Your Story Matters

Every story shared at City Hall brought us closer to change—but we still need more voices.

Here’s how YOU can get involved:

✅ Share Your Story: Have you experienced dumping in your neighborhood? Let your voice be heard. Reply to this email and tell us your story.

📞 Report Illegal Dumping: Use Philly311 or call 311 to report new incidents.

✍️ Write to City Officials: Contact Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson and Councilmember Jim Harrity to support stronger enforcement and public education.

📢 Use the Language: When you talk about illegal dumping, call it what it is—Legacy Dumping. Help shift the narrative and demand long-term solutions.

🤝 Join the Movement: EFNC is working with Trash Academy, Clean Philly Now, Cobb’s Creek Ambassadors, and many others to end this cycle. Join a cleanup. Attend a meeting. Be part of the solution.

From the Archives

1. "Eastwick Residents Make Their Voices Heard"

This article covers a public hearing where Eastwick residents testified about their personal experiences with flooding and environmental concerns, including issues related to legacy dumping. Residents shared stories of how illegal dumping and inadequate waste management have exacerbated flooding and environmental degradation in their neighborhood. The article highlights the community's efforts to bring attention to these issues and advocate for solutions. Read more

2. "Eastwick asks School Reform Commission to stop sale of Pepper/ComTech"

This piece details the community's concerns regarding the proposed sale of the Pepper Middle School and Communications Technology High School properties. It emphasizes that the vacant grounds have become targets for massive short-dumping, adding to the environmental burdens of the area. The article underscores the need for any development to consider the environmental challenges posed by legacy dumping and to involve the community in the planning process. Read more

3. "Eastwick Community Assessment Survey"

This document summarizes the findings of a community survey conducted in Eastwick, highlighting residents' concerns about environmental health, illegal dumping, and the need for active community involvement in development decisions. The survey reveals a strong desire among residents for effective local community and economic development organizations to address longstanding issues.​ Read more

Until next time,

The EFNC team