Las Cruces Considers Adding Curbside Recycling

For a city of 100,000 residents, there are only six bins throughout Las Cruces for dumping recyclable materials.

As Ellen Roberts unloaded her car in the Sam’s Club parking lot, she said finding an empty bin is a chore and said curb-side is a convenient solution.

“You just got to get it here,” Roberts said. “That’s the problem, getting it here. So yeah, I think it’d be great!”

Las Cruces City Council agrees. City council members voted unanimously on Monday to look into adding the curbside service.

South Central Solid Waste Authority Director Patrick Peck proposed a bi-weekly program.

Like in El Paso, each household would have two containers – one for solid waste and another specifically for recyclables.

Peck said residents could expect their monthly utility bills to increase by about $2.59.

Residents currently paying $15.10 each month would pay $17.69. Seniors paying $11.29 would pay $13.88 per month.

Peck said it’s a small price to pay for an improved quality of life.

“Those containers full, we’re going to go get them everyday,” Peck said. “We’re hiring more drivers, it’s more jobs, better for our community. We are leading New Mexico right now as far as being an environmentally friendly community.”

City Council will officially vote on the measure in September.

If approved, residents could have curbside recycling beginning in January.