Letters to the Editor: On recycling in Las Cruces

These letters were published in the March 26, 2023 edition of the Las Cruces Sun-News.

On recycling in Las Cruces

I am a public health graduate student at NMSU who is concerned about the lack of accessibility to proper recycling and waste disposal in Las Cruces. The city of Las Cruces relies on South Central Solid Waste Authority for its solid waste and recycling management services. Unfortunately, these services are limited in many regards.

For example, my own apartment complex near the university does not have its own recycling bins, meaning I must drive to the Las Cruces Recycling Center at 2855 W. Amador to properly dispose of my recyclables. For residents without reliable transportation, this is simply not an option. Even where curbside recycling is available, it does not include a service for recycling glass or electronic waste. These can only be recycled if dropped off directly at the center. Furthermore, the electronics recycling program in Las Cruces ended in 2016, which means electronics are now only accepted for waste disposal and larger items require residents pay a fee.When electronic goods are not disposed of properly, we put our own soil, water systems, and personal health at risk for contamination of toxic chemicals, including led, cadmium, and mercury. This is not an issue unique to Las Cruces. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. produced 2.37 million tons of electronic waste in 2009 alone, and only 25% was collected for proper recycling. We can change the narrative in Las Cruces. Please urge City Council to add free recycling services and proper recycling education to the city’s Keep Las Cruces Beautiful (KLCB) agenda. Call the City at 575-541-2000, or email the KLCB Coordinator at KLCB@las-cruces.org, today!

Nancy Patterson

Las Cruces, N.M.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Letters to the Editor: On recycling in Las Cruces