‘Untrash Our Desert’ Summit Meets In The Borderland To Discuss Illegal Dumping Solutions

Illegal dumping has been a serious problem in the borderland for nearly a century.

But thanks to a few new ideas, El Pasoans can help clean up the city while putting money in their pockets.

It’s all part of the ”Untrash Our Desert” summit that took place Wednesday morning here in the borderland.

More than 100 people met to discuss the growing problem of illegal dumping in Texas, New Mexico and Arizona.

Six panelist spoke about various ideas to keep the borderland clean.

One of the ideas that has already been implemented in the Miami and Corpus Christi areas pays residents by the truckload for cleaning up dump sites.

Items that include couches, dishwashers, microwaves and televisions can be dropped by designated sites for between $1 and $5 for up to $50 of payback.

“This saves the jurisdiction a lot of money because folks can come and act as your semi type of employees and they are getting paid for bringing that material in,” said Jeff Kaplan, director of General Services and Solid Wast for the Village of Ruidoso.

This is just one part of his plan to clean up the desert. Kaplan said it’s also important to beef up code enforcement to make sure those that illegally dump pay the price. He also said that more trash dropoff sites means more convenience for those looking to get rid of large items.

Kaplan wasn’t the only one with ideas on cleaning up the desert. Milena Sousa, an environmental enforcement supervisor, discussed the unique approach that Pima County in Arizona takes for illegal dumping. Instead of focusing on cleaning up dump sites, that county focuses on the prosecution of violators to keep the area clean.

The ideas haven’t been put into practice yet here in the borderland, but similar programs have been successful in Arizona and Texas.

Which idea do you think will help reduce illegal dumping? Click here to answer our online poll.