COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — Illegal trash dumping continues in our neighborhoods, and it's becoming a major eyesore. Some items being dumped include hazardous materials, motor oil, and spray paint.
News5 first reported on an illegal dumping site in the Midway Community in March, where we saw trash, including hazardous materials, mattresses and a dead dog.
Abigayle Austin, who lives less than a mile from the site, said in March that people thought dumping trash properly at the local waste management center was too expensive.
"People hear that outrageous price... It's about $60 to dump a mattress," said Austin.
El Paso County's Division of Environmental Services offers a free, year-round disposal option for household waste and hazardous materials.
"Spray paint, cleaners, anything that would have a skull face and cross bones on it," said Kathy Andrew, Environmental Division Manager with El Paso County.
According to El Paso County, Environmental Services in 2024 alone helped the community divert a large amount of waste from landfills and illegal dumping sites, including the following:
- 128 tons of paper, cardboard, and aluminum
- 115 tons of consumer electronics
- 24 tons of porcelain
- 64 tons of flammable materials
- 77,000 gallons of household paint
- 16,000 gallons of used motor oil
- 5,000 gallons of antifreeze
- 54,000 aerosol cans
- 36,000 cubic yards of organic material
Andrew said it's free for people living in El Paso County. However, the facility doesn't take everything. You may need to make an appointment depending on what you are bringing.
The goal is to stop all trash from ending up in ditches, roads and open spaces.
"(We) Certainly don't want any of these chemicals slipping into the groundwater over time," said Andrew.
More information about the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility is here.
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