Dustin Holm Continues Clearing the Desert
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski

Dustin Holm of Anthem-based North Valley Custom Hauling said he was shocked to be honored by Rep. Debbie Lesko and the Anthem Area Chamber of Commerce at the business organization’s annual awards. 

After all, he said, accolades were never his goal. He’s clearing the North Valley of debris one piece of trash at a time.

“I was surprised to be recognized by the community,” he said. “The Congressional Recognition letter from Debbie Lesko was cool, too. There was a lot of excitement at the event.”

In 2021, North Valley Custom Hauling completed nine large cleanups, averaging 40 to 50 volunteers at a time. They tallied 50,000 pounds of debris this year. 

Holm said 18 months ago that “the illegal dumping program is out of control.” His opinion has since changed. 

“I can always go out and find something, but it’s getting harder to find (debris) and that’s a good thing,” he said. 

When the Sacramento native founded North Valley Custom Hauling four years ago, it covered 85086, 85085, North Scottsdale and all along the Carefree corridor. He’s expanding beyond that now. 

“We go out to Cave Creek and around by Lake Pleasant,” he said. “As long as the volunteers have an appetite, I’d be willing to go. The city, as a whole, has a lot of different litter sites throughout. 

“So far, everybody has been really receptive to keeping it going. I was going to quit from June to September, but we ended up getting a few in.”

Holm said he primarily works with real estate agents, who must clean out homes before they’re moved into; local businesses; and those who are moving.

North Valley Custom Hauling doesn’t move trash or chemicals. His definition of “trash” is anything one would throw in a trash can.

“We move large items like furniture, hot tubs, sectionals and refrigerators,” he said. “We’re on-demand, bulk pick-up. If someone’s moving and they have a pile of what they don’t need to take, we’ll take it.”

Owning North Valley Custom Hauling is appropriate for Holm. In his early 20s, he was in the furniture business. His resume also includes stints in construction, commercial truck driving and home loans. They all provided Holm with experience to accomplish his tasks.

“The furniture business correlated to moving furniture out of people’s homes,” he said. “We have to be safe with houses. I’ve been in construction. That knowledge helps with tearing down sheds, small garden walls or fountains.

“For a short period of time, I was a commercial truck driver. I have a truck and a trailer now. All these past experiences tie in with the junk removal business.”

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, North Valley Custom Hauling has remained busy. His business is unique in that most customers are new.

“We have several repeat customers, but we don’t have a whole lot of residual business, like landscapers would,” he said.

Holm loves his business, but he finds caring for the community even more enjoyable, yet frustrating.

“Dumping clothes and bags of garbage is just senseless,” he said. “Education is the key. The cities and towns need to educate the public on where to take these items. If it was easier for people, it would be less of a problem.

“It just feels good to clean up the desert. I take my guys with me. They help out and volunteer, too. I tell them we’re making a difference. It’s a small difference, but every little bit helps.”