Background

Las Cruces, NM (pop. 101,324), is home to New Mexico State University, a campus of 18,000+ students on 6,000 acres on the southern end of the city center. Just east of town, Las Cruces is framed by the majestic Organ Mountains National Monument, offering a rigid backdrop to glorious sunrises. Every other week, neighborhoods within Las Cruces are dotted with blue carts as regional hauler Friedman Recycling makes its rounds collecting recyclables. The single-stream collection program covers the entire city.

Materials recycled

Paper Newspapers and inserts, magazines, catalogs, office paper, junk mail, drink cartons and juice boxes, paperboard, paper bags and corrugated cardboard are accepted. Plastics Plastic bottles and containers numbered 1 through 3 (rinsed), plastic tubs and jars numbered 3 through 7 and rigid plastic buckets and baskets are accepted. No plastic bags, plastic-wrap or Styrofoam. Metals Aluminum cans (rinsed), steel/tin cans (rinsed), metal pots and pans and small electronics are accepted. Glass Glass products are not accepted at the curb in Las Cruces.

Frequency

Las Cruces recycles at the curb on a biweekly basis, opposite week of trash. Carts must be placed at the curb by 6 a.m. on collection day. An area map of collection routes and a collection schedule are both available online.

Other programs

Las Cruces residents can take household hazardous waste items to the South Central Solid Waste Authority Transfer Station, 2865 W. Amador Ave. Accepted items include motor oil, gasoline, kerosene, aerosol cans, fertilizers, pesticides, herbicides, used cooking oil, fluorescent light bulbs, pool chemicals, photo chemicals, household cleaners, acids, antifreeze, household batteries, mercury-containing items, electronics, scrap metal, appliances and tires (fee applies). Any item considered ignitable, poisonous or corrosive will be accepted. The SCSWA is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Yard waste, referred to as “green waste” in Las Cruces, can be scheduled for curbside pick-up on trash collection day. Palm trunks and tree branches do not need to be bundled. Leaves, small branches and brush should be bagged. Please note: Not all yard waste collected at the curb is composted. Call 575.541.2111 to schedule a pick-up.

More information

Visit the City of Las Cruces Recycling website for more recycling program info.