El Paso County citizens pay thousands of dollars each year to clean up after some of their less responsible neighbors. In 2002, the bill topped $20,000; in 2003, it was more than $9,000 and last year’s clean ups cost over $3,000.Each time something is found illegally dumped on county land, El Paso County’s Environmental Service Department (ESD), by law, has to take care of it, and the solution can be quite costly. Not only does the county incur the cost of clean up, it also has to pay for proper disposal of the dumped materials and detoxification of any contaminated land. Costs include training, response equipment, man-hours, laboratory analysis of the waste liquid or material and disposal.Free or low cost alternatives to illegal dumping are open to all county residents at El Paso County’s Solid Waste Management Department. It takes drop-offs by appointment only and the department can be reached at 520-7878. The facility accepts anything except automotive batteries and tires – citizens will be referred to places that accept the latter.At the waste collection facility, people can leave unwanted items and pick up things that are needed. There is a “Drop and Swap” program designed to reuse household products. Items received that are still good or unopened are available to the public at no charge.Even used oil can be disposed without hurting the environment. Not far from the Solid Waste Management facility, the county’s Fleet Management Department has a used motor-oil-recycling center. Call 520-7859 for more information on the Citizens Used Oil Collection Program.
