Maya Ellison
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) accepts a variety of materials for recycling. While plastic recycling is offered in the city, there is some confusion surrounding what types of plastic can be recycled. Number 6 plastic, also known as polystyrene or styrofoam, is challenging to recycle due to its bulky and lightweight nature. However, some curbside programs do recycle it. In Las Cruces, residents are asked to recycle only specific categories of items, including numbers 1 and 2 plastics, and to dispose of other plastic materials through regular trash collection or by dropping them off at designated locations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic #6 | Polystyrene (PS) or styrofoam |
| Recyclable in Las Cruces? | Yes, but not in blue curbside bins |
| Where to recycle? | Old Foothills Landfill, 555 S. Sonoma Ranch Blvd. or the Recycling Center, 2855 W. Amador Ave., Las Cruces |
| Accepted at the Recycling Center? | Yes |
| Other materials accepted at the Recycling Center | Glass, electronics, scrap metal, white goods/appliances, household hazardous waste |
| Curbside collection | Twice a month |
| Curbside collection day | Before 6 a.m. |
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What You'll Learn
Polystyrene (PS) is hard to recycle
Polystyrene (PS), otherwise known as styrofoam, is hard to recycle. It is often marked with a #6 plastic resin identification code. PS products include plastic cups, plates, and to-go containers. PS is lightweight and bulky, making it difficult to recycle.
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, residents are asked to recycle only items from five categories: #1 and #2 plastics (water bottles, milk jugs, laundry detergent jugs), clean corrugated cardboard, printer paper, aluminum cans, and steel cans. This means that residents are being asked to stop recycling many types of items that were previously accepted in blue curbside bins. Instead, those items should be thrown in regular trash cans.
The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) in Las Cruces has implemented these changes to reduce the contamination of recyclables, boost the overall value of recycled products, and increase the likelihood of the recycled materials being sold and made into new products. This, in turn, helps to reduce recycling costs for the city.
While PS is not accepted in the blue curbside bins in Las Cruces, there are other options for responsible waste disposal and recycling. The SCSWA operates the Las Cruces Recycling Center, which is a free drop-off location for residents to recycle traditional recyclables, glass, electronics, scrap metal, and appliances. The center is open seven days a week and offers services for the safe disposal of household hazardous waste. Additionally, there are private companies in Las Cruces that purchase plastic for recycling, but they typically require large quantities and do not accept small amounts.
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Las Cruces Recycling Center
The Las Cruces Recycling Center, operated by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA), is located at 2855 W Amador and is open seven days a week. It is a free drop-off location for Las Cruces residents to recycle their traditional recyclables, including the FAB 5 and mixed paper. Residents can also recycle glass, electronics, scrap metal, white goods/appliances (such as refrigerators and freezers), and safely dispose of household hazardous waste. Data-storing electronics, such as desktops, laptops, MP3 players, and smartphones, are accepted for free recycling drop-off, while items like monitors and TVs incur a fee.
The SCSWA provides recycling guidelines for Las Cruces residents, requesting that only items from five categories be recycled: No. 1 & 2 plastics (water bottles, milk jugs, laundry detergent jugs), clean corrugated cardboard, printer paper, aluminum cans, and steel cans. Plastic bags and plastics numbered 3 through 7 are no longer accepted in blue curbside bins due to declining recycling market values. However, these items can still be recycled at the Las Cruces Recycling Center.
No. 6 plastic, polystyrene or styrofoam, is lightweight and bulky, making it challenging to recycle. While it is not traditionally recycled through curbside programs, some accept it. The Las Cruces Recycling Center is likely to accept No. 6 plastic for recycling, given its ability to handle a wide range of materials.
To properly recycle in Las Cruces, residents should separate their recyclables and place them in blue curbside bins or take them to the Recycling Center. Curbside collection occurs twice a month, and carts must be placed at the curb by 6 am on collection day. An area map and schedule are available online. Additionally, the Rio Grande Recycling Corridor has launched a statewide recycling education campaign, "Know What to Throw New Mexico," to teach residents how to recycle correctly.
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Plastic #1 is recyclable
Plastic #1, also known as PETE or PET, is commonly used in soft drink, juice, and cough syrup containers, as well as microwave trays. It is also used for bottles of water, soda, and other drinks, cooking oil containers, and jars of peanut butter and other food items. This type of plastic can be recycled and is accepted in standard recycling bins in some areas. However, it is important to check with local recycling guidelines, as rules may vary depending on the location. For instance, in Las Cruces, New Mexico, plastic #1 is recyclable, but it cannot be placed in blue curbside bins. Instead, it should be taken to the Old Foothills Landfill or the Recycling Center.
The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) in Las Cruces has provided guidelines for residents on what can be recycled and where to take these items. While plastic #1 is accepted at the Recycling Center, plastic bags and plastics #3 through #7 should not be placed in the blue curbside bins. This is due to a decline in the recycling market, caused by new import restrictions in China, which has made it less likely that these plastics will be sold and recycled into new products.
The Las Cruces Recycling Center, operated by the SCSWA, is located at 2855 W Amador and is open seven days a week. It is a free drop-off location for residents to recycle traditional recyclables, glass, electronics, scrap metal, and white goods/appliances. Data-storing electronics, such as desktops, laptops, MP3 players, and smartphones, are accepted for free recycling, while items like monitors and TVs may incur a fee.
Recycling plastic is crucial for the environment as it reduces the need for new raw materials, decreases greenhouse gas emissions, and minimizes the negative impact of plastic waste on the planet. By properly disposing of and recycling plastics, we can contribute to a cleaner and more sustainable future. It is important to stay informed about the specific recycling guidelines in your area to ensure that you are recycling correctly and making a positive impact.
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Plastic bags are no longer accepted
The SCSWA is still awaiting a proposed contract amendment with Friedman Recycling, the company contracted to process Las Cruces' recyclables at an El Paso plant. By reducing the types of items being recycled and reducing contamination, the SCSWA hopes to increase the likelihood that recycled materials can be sold and made into new products. This will also help to reduce recycling costs for the city.
While plastic bags are no longer accepted, residents can still recycle other materials at the Las Cruces Recycling Center, located at 2855 W Amador. This facility offers free recycling drop-off services for residential use only and is not for commercial use. Residents can recycle traditional recyclables, such as aluminum and cat food cans, tin cans, empty and flattened boxes, brown paper bags, books, juice boxes, milk cartons, office paper, magazines, newspapers, uncorrugated cartons, phone books, grocery bags, plastic bottles and jars, rigid plastics, and most cardboard.
In addition to these residential recycling services, the Las Cruces Recycling Center also accepts glass, electronics, scrap metal, white goods/appliances (such as refrigerators and freezers), and household hazardous waste for safe disposal. Data-storing electronics, such as desktops, laptops, MP3 players, and smartphones, are accepted for free recycling drop-off, while items like monitors and TVs incur a fee.
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Electronics are accepted for recycling
In Las Cruces, New Mexico, the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) operates the Las Cruces Recycling Center, which accepts electronics for recycling. The center is located at 2855 W Amador and is open 7 days a week. Residents can drop off their electronic waste for recycling free of charge. This includes data-storing electronics such as desktops, laptops, MP3 players, and smartphones.
It's important to note that monitors and TVs are no longer accepted for free and will incur a fee for up to 3 units per household per day. The SCSWA provides responsible recycling and waste disposal services, ensuring that electronic waste is handled properly and does not end up in unregulated foreign landfills.
In addition to the SCSWA Recycling Center, there are private companies in Las Cruces that specialize in electronic waste recycling, such as All Green Electronics Recycling. These companies offer services like IT asset disposition, data destruction, and hard drive shredding. They also provide reselling and refurbishment options for outdated electronics, turning them into financial returns for their customers.
By offering convenient and accessible recycling options for electronics, the city of Las Cruces is taking important steps towards environmental sustainability and responsible waste management. Residents can play a crucial role in this endeavor by properly recycling their electronic waste and supporting local recycling initiatives.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, #6 plastic, also known as polystyrene or styrofoam, can be recycled in Las Cruces, NM. However, due to its bulky and lightweight nature, it can be challenging to recycle. It is recommended to check with local recycling centers for specific guidelines and drop-off locations.
#6 plastic, or polystyrene, is commonly used for plastic cups, plates, and to-go containers.
#6 plastic can be recycled at the Las Cruces Recycling Center located at 2855 W Amador, which is a free drop-off location for residents.
Yes, there are private companies in Las Cruces that purchase plastic for recycling, but they typically only deal in large quantities. These companies can arrange logistics and transportation to the recycling center.
In addition to #6 plastic, Las Cruces recycles plastics #1 and #2, which include items such as water bottles, milk jugs, detergent bottles, and laundry detergent jugs. However, it's important to check with local guidelines as recycling programs can change over time.
