El Paso County supporting more cleanups to prevent dumping

El Paso County wants tackle the issue of illegal dumping by making it easier for people to legally throw it away instead. In Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting, county leaders said more cleanup is needed all around El Paso County. Now, they’re making it a priority to provide more opportunities for people to take advantage.

“The need’s out there” said Commissioner Andrew Haggerty, (R) Precinct 4. “I know in my precinct, I know Commissioner Perez has probably the exact same problem I do – one event just doesn’t cut it.”
Haggerty said Monday that there was overwhelming demand for the county’s cleanup efforts, done once a year in the east and western outskirts of the county. It’s a time when residents can bring any and all kinds of trash, environmental waste, tires and more, dumping it safely instead of in the desert. ABC-7 crews saw a lot of major waste like bed frames and tires out in Westway.

The county has previously gotten grants to cover the cost of such cleanups. That has dried up this year, meaning the county would have to foot the roughly $80,000 bill out of contingency funds. But commissioners and staff agreed that it’s an important move to expand the community cleanup and prevent more dumping.

“There was a request for two (cleanups),” said Public Works Director Pat Adauto, “and they approved four because there’s such a dire need for these out in El Paso County. And so they authorized it and it will be on the agenda for next week to actually fund it for four events.”

Once fully approved and funded, the events will be scheduled for later this year. The state requires an 8 week notification before the county can hold the cleanup.