Yuma Officials Urge Residents to Stop Illegal Dumping of Trash, Debris

Trash, furniture and tires left along roadsides and in desert areas across Yuma County prompted the Yuma County Department of Public Works to issue a community warning March 23, calling on residents to stop illegal dumping and use the free disposal services already available to them.

The Yuma County Department of Public Works reminded locals to properly dispose of unwanted items to keep Yuma clean, citing repeated and visible incidents of debris left outside designated disposal areas. The illegal disposal of items poses a threat to agriculture, wildlife and neighborhoods throughout the county.

"It's illegal. There are penalties, there are fines anywhere from a misdemeanor to a felony," said Michael Herrera, Superintendent for Waste Management. Illegal dumping and criminal littering ranges from a class 2 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony depending on the type and amount of debris dumped, with a class 6 felony carrying a maximum penalty of two years in prison and a $150,000 fine.

Officials stressed that no one needs to dump illegally because the county already provides free alternatives. "All of these transfer sites are free to the public. We just don't understand why people are dumping trash into the desert," said Santos Guerrero with Yuma County Public Works. Public Works is asking the community to use existing free services in the county to dispose of burning waste, tires, furniture and other items.

The county has seen an increase in illegal dumping of household trash, furniture, lawn trimmings, tires and commercial materials, with debris found polluting multiple locations throughout the county, predominantly in desert areas surrounding the Foothills.

Guerrero warned that continued abuse of those desert spaces could force closures. "If they start closing these areas off because people don't pick up their trash, that's the last thing we want is to close these areas," he said.

Herrera echoed the frustration and made a direct appeal to the public. "There is no reason for illegal dumping that we see in Yuma County. We have transfer sites that are absolutely free for residents to dispose at. I think Yuma County residents, we can do better as a community of keeping our communities clean," he said.

A new South County transfer station is also on the way. Kelly Fricki, Yuma County Public Works director, briefed officials on a planned South County solid waste transfer station sited on a 10-acre parcel on County 19th Street between Avenues D and E. The facility is expected to open in July 2026 and is intended to reduce illegal dumping in South County.

In the meantime, the City of Yuma Public Works Department's annual Neighborhood Cleanup program, which began January 26, 2026, offers curbside collection of bulky household items for residents within city limits, running through early April across 10 designated areas. The program is available at no additional cost to residents living within Yuma city limits. For more information, contact Yuma City Public Works at 928-373-4500 or visit yumaaz.gov/neighborhoodcleanup. To report illegal dumping in unincorporated parts of the county, contact the Yuma County Sheriff's Office at 928-783-4427 or call 78-CRIME to remain anonymous.