How to Recycle Right in New Mexico
Let’s Clean It Up
As important as it is to recycle, it’s even more important to recycle right. Food waste, plastic bags and wrap, unrecyclable items, and trash contaminate recyclables and create costly errors in the process. This, in turn, leads to more items in the landfill.
Know What To Throw
As a general rule, you can recycle plastic bottles, paper, cardboard, and aluminum. However, each community has different guidelines. Be sure to use our interactive map below to get more information and find out what can be thrown in the recycle bins where you live.
Empty, Clean, and Dry Items Get Recycled
Greasy pizza boxes, dirty peanut butter jars, takeout containers with food residue, and bottles or glass (where allowed) with liquid are all contaminants that ruin the recycling process. Ensure your items do not have any food or liquid residue, and if you’re unsure if they're recyclable, toss them in the trash. Use your best judgment. If it takes 5 gallons of water to wash out that empty peanut butter jar, it's better to throw it in the trash.
Loose Materials Get Recycled
Plastic bags and plastic wrap are not recyclable through any municipal recycling program in our state. Do not bag your recyclables, and remember to bring your reusable shopping bags with you when you go to the store.
Tell Your Community
Download a flyer with these easy steps to recycle right. Put it in your in-home recycle bin or on your fridge as a handy reminder, or share it with your friends and neighbors.
Find Your Community
The interactive map below links to municipalities, counties, and solid waste authorities providing recycling services in New Mexico. It may not include all recycling options in your area, such as private scrap metal dealers, compost facilities, etc. It is intended to give you a good starting place to Know What To Throw in New Mexico. Click on the green markers below to learn more.
San Juan County
Rio Arriba County
Taos County
Colfax County
Union County
Recycling Currently Not Available
McKinley County
Sandoval County
Los Alamos County
Santa Fe County
Mora County
Harding County
Recycling Currently Not Available
Cibola County
Valencia County
Torrance County
Guadalupe County
Quay County
Recycling Currently Not Available
Catron County
Recycling Currently Not Available
Socorro County
No Recycling
Website
Lincoln County
Chaves County
Roosevelt County
Recycling Currently Not Available
City of Portales
Grant County
Sierra County
Otero County
Eddy County
Recycling Currently Not Available