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Reminder For Las Cruces-Area Residents: Tarp Your Trash, It's The Law

The Doña Ana County Illegal Dumping Partnership (IDP) is reminding Doña Ana County residents of a simple rule: tarp your trash. It’s not only a necessary requirement for preventing litter; it’s the law.

According to the Prohibited Acts Ordinance, it is illegal for people to scatter or distribute any small waste outside the confines of a trash container—including on streets, lakes, streams, arroyos and more—within any premises within the county. Additionally, it is illegal to transport solid waste in any matter that will allow for scatter.

“Illegal dumping can take the form of simply not taking the time to tarp and secure a pickup load on the way to the transfer station,” said Doña Ana County Codes Officer, Kevin Apodaca. “This is a large problem countywide with many negative impacts, as can be witnessed by the masses of trash alongside many of our roads. This is not just a beautification issue, but also an issue of health and public safety. Any form of solid waste transported must be covered and secured to make sure drivers are safe, our environment is protected and our County stays clean.”

Not only will violators face the consequences of their illegal dumping—fines ranging from $300 to $5,000 or up to 90 days in jail—but by failing to tarp their trash loads, they could also cause accidents, obstruct traffic and harm the environment around them.

“This is a problem with a simple solution, and we’re asking community members to get involved and show their pride in Doña Ana County by tarping their trash,” said Vicki Lusk, Manager of Doña Ana County Animal Control & Codes.

In order to combat the issue and encourage proper disposal habits, the Doña Ana County Codes Division helps community members organize cleanup days throughout the County. They provide supplies, including trash bags, grabbers, gloves, reflector safety vests and water for participating community members. Those interested in planning a cleanup day are encouraged to call (575) 525-8846 and begin building a group of volunteers.

“We love working with communities to encourage better environmentally conscientious behaviors,” added Officer Apodaca. “If you’re interested in helping clean up your community, give us a call today. We’ll supply you with everything you need to assist in picking up trash along roadsides and communities.”

Illegal dumping is expensive.  Hired crews have been working steadily over the past 15 months and have collected over 225 tons of trash around the deserts areas in Doña Ana County; tires, furniture, construction waste, household trash and car parts that were dumped rather than being responsible and taking unwanted items to one of the 7 transfer stations around the County. The newest transfer station, in Chaparral will be opening soon.   

Specific to roadside dumping, the hired crew cleaned up in Salem resulted in 2,560 pounds of litter eradicated, and a three-day cleanup in the Village of Doña Ana resulted in 1,880 pounds of roadside litter cleaned up.

IDP is working to change behaviors and increase community pride and beautification of our environment with educational outreach presentations to school age children, and this initiative needs everyone’s involvement.

To plan your local cleanup day, contact the County Codes Division at(575) 525-8846.