Disposal of solid wastes by dumping in low-lying areas has been practised since early times. Such sites often do not have any proper system of operation and are found to attract a large number of ragpickers, who during their search for reclaimable materials spread the waste around spoiling the appearance of the site.

As proper controls are not exercised hot ashes and combustible wastes are often dumped at such sites causing fire and smoke problems. The decomposable wastes are exposed leading to rodent and fly nuisance. Paper tends to spread around and litters the landscape, which becomes aesthetically objectionable and hygienically undesirable.

Further, the decomposition causes a lot of nuisance and the site cannot be put to suitable use early. Such sites are often located in low-lying areas where they tend to pollute surface and ground waters.

Hence, such kind of open dumping is prohibited because it poses greater risk to the environment.