Illegal dumping of garbage is defined as a large deposit of any waste, usually anything over 15 pounds or 27 cubic feet, in areas like woods, alleys, waterways, vacant lots or sides of roads. It has been estimated that there is†100 million tons†of illegally dumped waste in the world. Americans alone are estimated to illegally dump almost 1.5 million tons of trash each year.The above statistics are from an article in dumpsters.com, ìHow Illegal Dumping Affects the Community and Environment.î According to the article, the reasons people illegally dump their garbage ranges from a lack of education on available disposal options to simply not taking the time to drive to the local landfill or transfer station.Natalie Sosa, deputy public information officer for El Paso County, said upon request, the El Paso County Public Works Department, Highway Division, will remove trash illegally dumped within the right of way of unincorporated El Paso County.†Trash includes couches, televisions and other bulky items left in the right of way, she said.Sosa said dumping trash is illegal, and every effort is made to identify those who illegally dump and report them to law enforcement for further action.†She said in 2020, they had 311 service requests for trash removal as opposed to 319 in 2019, which averages between 5.5 and 6.5 requests a week.Mindy Madden, strategic services manager with El Paso County Planning and Community Development, said complaints about overflowing commercial dumpsters and/or trash located on private property can be directed to the code enforcement office at https://citizenconnect.elpasoco.com/#/homepage.Madden said presently, they do not have any active complaints regarding the above issues in Falcon or Peyton. She said enforcement action is complaint based, so residents are encouraged to submit their concerns; complaints can be submitted anonymously. She said they have three code enforcement officers for the unincorporated areas of the county, so it can take seven to 10 business days before an officer is able to respond to a complaint.When they respond to a complaint, Madden said they issue a notice of violation to the owner of the property and possibly the business as well, pending the circumstances. If there is an agreement between the business owner and the property owner regarding trash service, that is a civil matter between the parties, she said. The violation itself is related to trash on the property ó any trash located within the dumpster is not a violation.Sosa said there are several options for citizens to dispose things like couches and furniture. They can rent a roll-off dumpster, sell or give away the items, donate them to a local charity, hire a professional junk removal service or haul it all to the Colorado Springs landfill; hazardous waste can be taken to the El Paso County Household Hazardous Waste Facility.
