The collection and disposal of waste in remote areas along Arizona's 370-mile border with Mexico poses difficult challenges. The environmental impact caused by illegal border crossings, and the trash left behind, is increasingly being found in areas that are more fragile and remote. A variety of federal and state government entities, Native American tribes and private landowners are affected by the problem; addressing it requires extensive coordination.

The Arizona Broder Trash website was created to assist stakeholders with facilitating and tracking border trash cleanups. From 2007 to 2018, stakeholder groups documented cleanup of 460,000 pounds (230 tons) on the Border Trash website.

Funding for elements of this website were provided by the State of Arizona, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Border 2012 Program, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Arizona State Office, and the Border Environment Cooperation Commission (BECC), which has since merged with the North American Development Bank.

This website was created through input by various stakeholder groups, including the Borderlands Management Task Force (BMTF), overseen by the BLM. BMTF consists of over 15 member agencies and Native American tribes with an active interest in issues surrounding border trash and options for mitigating environmental damage caused by illegal border crossings in Arizona. The support of these partners is appreciated.

Learn about Past Cleanups | View >

Resources for Cleanups | View >