EL PASO, Texas (KFOX14/CBS4) — El Paso city leaders are looking at new ways to address illegal dumping after city data showed a sharp increase in reported incidents in 2026.

Illegal dumping has become a growing problem in El Paso, and city leaders are now weighing new strategies they said could make it easier for residents to dispose of trash properly while stepping up cleanups and enforcement.

Rich Beem Boulevard is one of the areas where people report seeing illegal dumping.

Residents said illegal dumping remains a visible problem in parts of the city, particularly in desert areas.

“I think it’s bad that people are throwing trash in the desert,” one resident said.

Another added, “People just seem to just wanna dump their trash. Do our part and clean up our city.”

According to the City of El Paso’s Environmental Services Department, there have been 84 confirmed illegal dumping incidents so far in 2026.

That’s significantly higher than the average of 32 incidents recorded annually over the past three years.

In response, city officials are proposing several new initiatives, including expanding volunteer partnerships, increasing community cleanup events, and creating a new $20 collection station pass aimed at making waste disposal more accessible.

Destiny Venecia reports on what the City is proposing to address the rise of illegal dumping

District 5 City Representative Ivan Niño, who represents parts of East and Far East El Paso, said the proposals are designed to create a strategy that where the city and the community can work together.

“I drive through the same streets. I witness the same challenges that they see every day. And I really wanted to create a strategy where our community and the city partner up together, and we continue to address this issue that affects our communities,” Nino said.

Residents said they support the city’s efforts, but also believe accessibility is key, particularly for people who may not have the documentation needed to use existing services.

“Sometimes you don’t have a water bill if you’re living in apartments,” one man said.

Nino said the proposed collection station pass is intended to help residents in this case.

“Right now, residents who might not have a water bill don’t have access to our citizen collection sites. So this new strategy… will be able to access a citizen collection site for a low fee to be able to get rid of the trash that they have instead of it ending in our desert,” Nino said.

District 3 City Representative Deanna Maldonado Rocha, who represents parts of East El Paso, said the city is also planning to increase the number of cleanup opportunities.

“We were previously going to hold two cleanups a year per district, but we are now increasing to three starting in 2027. So that is something that is easy for people to come in, drop off their trash without having to go either to the landfill or even to a citizen selection station. Really trying to meet the community where they’re at to make it easier,” Maldonado Rocha said.

As part of its review, El Paso compared its current efforts with programs in cities including Austin, Dallas, Frisco, Houston, Midland, and San Antonio.

Those cities have programs that include surveillance of dumping areas and collection stations, options El Paso officials are looking to follow.

Residents said the proposed changes are a step in the right direction and could help reduce illegal dumping if more people take advantage of the available resources.

El Paso officials said they are partnering with local organizations for designated cleanup days throughout the community.

RELATED: El Paso rep. targets illegal dumping with awareness campaign, cleanup partnership

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