South Central Solid Waste Authority

10/22/2026

Want to reduce your household waste but don't know where to start? Look in your trash can! 🗑️👇
The easiest way to cut back is to identify exactly what you’re throwing away the most, then pinpoint how to improve.
If you realize you’re tossing dozens of paper towels a week because they are your go-to for every spill, dust bunny, and bathroom cleanup, you just found your perfect starting point! Swapping them out for reusable cleaning cloths is a simple change that makes a massive impact. 🌿
Small swaps add up. What's one area you're looking to improve?

10/20/2026

🚨 URGENT SERVICE NOTICE FOR CUSTOMERS AND HAULERS 🚨

Effective immediately, all waste loads are being diverted away from the Amador Transfer Station and to the Corralitos Landfill. Please reroute your loads directly to Corralitos until further notice.
We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience as our teams work to resolve the issue safely and quickly.

www.scswa.net
(575)528-3800

10/19/2026

Did you know that your local taxes help fund the blue bins and recycling trucks you see rolling down our streets every other week? 💸🗑️

Right now in Las Cruces, the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) manages our curbside recycling. For decades, the system has worked like this: massive food and beverage corporations profit from selling cheap, single-use packaging, and our community is left to pay for sorting and processing it at facilities like the one on Amador Avenue.

But across the country—and right here in New Mexico as the state rolls out its new Circular Economy Plan—people are pushing for a major policy shift called Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).

Here is how EPR completely changes the rules for our local community:
• The Cost Shift: Instead of Las Cruces residents and local governments footing the bill for recycling plastics, aluminum cans, and cardboard, the large brands that manufacture the packaging have to pay into the system.
• The Brand's Burden: Corporations become legally and financially responsible for their packaging waste from production all the way to its final recycling or disposal.
• Better Design for Cruces: Because those companies are suddenly on the hook for waste costs, it forces them to design better, smarter, and truly sustainable packaging from the very beginning.
While New Mexico hasn't passed a full packaging EPR law just yet, local programs in the region are working harder than ever to educate residents on reducing waste. Shifting the burden from our local neighborhoods back to the multi-million-dollar manufacturers keeps trash out of our beautiful deserts and saves local tax dollars. 🏜️✨
Want to make a difference right now? Make sure you are putting the right items in your blue bin! You can check the local guidelines directly on the South Central Solid Waste Authority Recycling Guide or download the Recycle Coach app used by Las Cruces residents to track what can be recycled locally.

10/19/2026

Calling all environmental stewards, artists, crafters, and DIY creators! 💫

Looking to add some sustainable sparkle to your next masterpiece? The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) has free crushed glass cullet available for residential pickup!
SCSWA processes dropped-off glass bottles and jars into beautiful, smooth, eraser-sized colored glass chunks and glass sand.
While it's great for landscaping, it's also the perfect raw material for creative and artistic projects:
• ✨ Mosaic tile designs and resin art
• 🎨 Unique textures in mixed-media paintings
• Terrariums, clear vase fillers, and decorative centerpieces
• 🏡 Stepping stones and handmade garden art

Best of all? It’s completely FREE for residential use. Bring your own buckets or containers and scoop up some inspiration!
📍 Where to pick it up:
Las Cruces Recycling Center
2855 W. Amador Ave.
⏰ Hours:
• Monday–Friday: 7 AM – 5 PM
• Saturday–Sunday: 8 AM – 4 PM

10/16/2026

Bring SCSWA Recycle Education to your group or classroom!
At SCSWA, we believe that education is the foundation of a successful recycling program. We are committed to fostering that success by offering specialized educational sessions for schools, community organizations, and visitors.
Our Recycle Education team is ready to present anywhere—whether in the classroom, outdoors under the Las Cruces sun, or during a guided tour of our facilities.

Help us build a more sustainable community. Contact SCSWA today to schedule an educational presentation for your organization.
(575)319-0078
[email protected]

10/15/2026

The Authority has a robust integrated solid waste system including the Corralitos Landfill, two transfer stations, and eight (8) Convenience Centers under contract with Doña Ana County; the Authority provides commercial service to White Sands Missile Range, curbside recycling collection in the City of Las Cruces, curbside solid waste collection in the City of Sunland Park, solid waste transfer services for the City of Truth or Consequences and serves as the solid waste advisors to the City of Anthony by MOU.

To continue to improve on our robust integrated system, a 30-year Regional Solid Waste Master Plan (Master Plan) is being developed and your input is needed!
Simply scan the included QR code or click the link below to access SCSWA Customer Survey input opportunities.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/5MRBQ6W

10/15/2026

PUBLIC NOTICE REMINDER: MANDATORY SCALE HOUSE EXIT REQUIRED FOR ALL VEHICLES

As a reminder, ALL vehicles—this includes both residential and commercial traffic—must exit the Amador Transfer Station through the scale house exit ONLY. Bypassing the scale house or exiting through unauthorized lanes is strictly prohibited.

Why This Rule is Enforced
• Safety First: Controlling traffic flow through a single, designated
exit lane prevents blind-spot collisions and ensures the safety of
both visitors and station staff.
• Compliance & Accountability: All vehicles must be properly logged
and cleared by scale house personnel before leaving the facility to
comply with facility regulations.

What YOU Need to Do
1. Follow all posted directional signage and pavement markings.
2. Proceed at a safe, reduced speed toward the scale house lane.
3. Wait for the scale attendant to clear your vehicle before exiting
onto the main road.

Thank you for your immediate cooperation. Keeping our facility organized keeps everyone safe.

City of Las Cruces Doña Ana County Government Center Doña Ana County Public Safety City of Sunland Park, New Mexico City of Anthony NM Municipality

10/14/2026

🍂 Fall is in the air, Las Cruces! As the leaves change, it’s the perfect time to look at how the autumn season connects directly to what we do at SCSWA.

Check out these Random Fall Facts and see how the season ties right back into recycling and waste diversion:
🍁 FACT #1: Autumn leaves are nature’s ultimate recyclable.
• The Connection: Did you know a single mature oak tree can drop up to 24,000 leaves in autumn? Instead of bagging them up for the landfill, bring your leaves, grass clippings, and branches to the City of Las Cruces' Green Waste facility. Diverting them from the trash creates the option of mulching them into rich, free compost for our community!
🎃 FACT #2: Pumpkins are 92% water—and highly compostable.
• The Connection: Millions of jack-o'-lanterns end up in landfills every November, where they can't break down properly and create harmful greenhouse gases. Once Halloween is over, chop up your uncarved or unpainted pumpkins and toss them into your backyard compost pile or bring them to the green waste drop-off!
🛍️ FACT #3: Autumn is the peak season for cardboard.
• The Connection: Between fall wardrobe updates, back-to-school setups, and early holiday shopping, online ordering skyrockets in October and November. Remember the SCSWA "Rule of 4"—flatten your cardboard boxes and place them loose in your blue curbside recycling bin to keep our local program running efficiently!

Let’s keep Las Cruces beautiful and sustainable this season.

10/13/2026

Team Up to Clean Up! 🌳

Have yard waste or household trash to get rid of? Keep Las Cruces Beautiful will provide open-top containers for FREE disposal of permitted items on Saturday, October 24!

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕗 8 AM – noon, or until containers are full

📍 Container locations:
• Apodaca Park – 801 East Madrid Avenue
• East Mesa Recreation Center – 5589 Porter Drive
• Mesilla Park
• Young Park
• Tony Gomez Park
• Henry Benavidez Community Center

Residents must unload their own items. Staff will be available to answer questions about acceptable materials.

🚫 Not accepted: Medical waste; hot ashes/coals; tires, vehicle parts or batteries; fluorescent light bulbs; stumps/trunks; concrete, bricks or rocks; toxic, combustible or hazardous materials; toilets/sinks; refrigerators or anything containing refrigerant; animal carcasses.

Want to lend a hand? High school and college students, clubs, sports teams, and community groups can earn community service hours while helping clean up our neighborhoods!

For questions about disposal or participation, contact KLCB at 575-528-4506 or [email protected].

Team Up to Clean Up! 🌳

Have yard waste or household trash to get rid of? Keep Las Cruces Beautiful will provide open-top containers for FREE disposal of permitted items on Saturday, October 24!

📅 Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕗 8 AM – noon, or until containers are full

📍 Container locations:
• Apodaca Park – 801 East Madrid Avenue
• East Mesa Recreation Center – 5589 Porter Drive
• Mesilla Park
• Young Park
• Tony Gomez Park
• Henry Benavidez Community Center

Residents must unload their own items. Staff will be available to answer questions about acceptable materials.

🚫 Not accepted: Medical waste; hot ashes/coals; tires, vehicle parts or batteries; fluorescent light bulbs; stumps/trunks; concrete, bricks or rocks; toxic, combustible or hazardous materials; toilets/sinks; refrigerators or anything containing refrigerant; animal carcasses.

Want to lend a hand? High school and college students, clubs, sports teams, and community groups can earn community service hours while helping clean up our neighborhoods!

For questions about disposal or participation, contact KLCB at 575-528-4506 or [email protected].