Frequently Asked Questions

How do I volunteer for a Keep El Paso Beautiful event?
Its easy!  Just click here to register!

How can I do community service with Keep El Paso Beautiful?
We are always looking for volunteers to help at our events or in our office, and we are also happy to sign community service forms as required.  To volunteer today, please call  915.546.6742

Where can I get rid of my old computer?
Contact Solid Waste 915.621.6700  for drop-off locations.
Customers can take unwanted computers directly to any Goodwill location throughout the
El Paso area. There is no charge for dropping off a computer at Goodwill.

How can I get a speaker from Keep El Paso Beautiful?
Call us at 915.546-6742  to schedule a time.

How can I organize a cleanup?
Call the office of Keep El Paso Beautiful at 915.546.6742

How can I sponsor a Community Tool Shed?
Sponsorship of a Community Tool Shed shows you are an environmentally responsible individual or company by displaying your name on a Community Tool Shed. Everyone who passes your Community Tool Shed will see your name on a highly visible sign. Call  Keep El Paso Beautiful at 915.546.6742   

Where can I take my recycling if I live in an apartment?
Take your recycling to one of the Citizen Drop-off sites or call Solid Waste Management for more information 915.621.6700 to learn more about drop-off sites and acceptable items for recycling

What is “Don’t Mess with Texas”?
Don't Mess with Texas is the tough-talking litter prevention campaign sponsored by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The campaign reminds Texans to keep their trash in the car and off our roads.

Why do people litter?
Research by Keep America Beautiful found that people litter because they feel no sense of ownership, even though areas such as parks and beaches are public property, they believe someone else, a park maintenance or highway worker, will pick up after them or the litter has already accumulated.

What are the most common types of roadside litter?
· Fast food packaging (20% of roadside litter)
· Tobacco litter including cigarette butts (19 %)
· Household/personal items like cardboard pieces (19%) and
· Non-alcoholic beverage containers (16%)

What are the primary sources of litter?
o Household trash handling and its placement at the curb for collection
o Dumpsters used by businesses
o Loading docks
o Construction and demolition sites
o Trucks with uncovered loads
o Pedestrians
o Motorists
Litter is blown about by wind and traffic or carries by water.   It moves until trapped by a curb, building or fence.  Once litter has accumulated, it invites people to add more.

What can I do to help prevent litter?
Set an example for others, especially children, by not littering.
Carry a litter bag in your car.
Make sure trashcans have lids that can be securely fastened.  
Tie papers in a bundle before placing them in a curbside-recycling bin.
If you own a business, check dumpsters daily to see that top and side doors are closed.
Volunteer to help organize a cleanup.

What are a few facts about trash?
• The average American throws away 5 pounds of trash a day.
• Americans throw away enough office and writing paper annually to build a wall twelve feet
high stretching from LA to New York City.
• Americans go through 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour.

How can I help to reduce cigarette litter?
Focus your attention and efforts on educating adults who smoke to consider the following actions:
Use a portable ashtray in your car, carry a pocket ashtray or use ash trash receptacles when smoking outside.
Do not throw butts out car windows.
Be aware of local litter ordinances.
Encourage smokers to be aware of where their cigarette will be discarded when they light-up.

What is considered hazardous waste & where can I get rid of it?
Batteries, certain types of pesticides & herbicides, gasoline and some types of paint and chemicals are considered hazardous waste. To get more information about other types and the safe disposal of hazardous waste visit Household Hazardous Waste or call 915.621.6700.