Where to Recycle in Northern New Mexico: A County-by-County Guide

Recycling in Northern New Mexico can vary greatly from one county to the next. Whether you live in Santa Fe, Los Alamos, Taos, or smaller rural communities, you’ll want to know where to take paper, plastics, yard waste, electronics, and more. Below is a county‑by‑county guide to help you recycle efficiently — and responsibly.

1. Santa Fe County / City of Santa Fe

• Buckman Road Recycling & Transfer Station (BuRRT) – Santa Fe’s central facility. Accepts mixed recyclables, green waste, e‑waste, household hazardous waste (HHW), and more. sfswma.org+2sfswma.org+2

• City Drop-Off Centers

  • Lucia Lane Drop-Off (behind the old McDonald’s) Santa Fe, NM

  • Agua Fria Drop-Off (relocated from Siler Road) nmnn.net

• Santa Fe County Convenience & Transfer Stations
  Sites in Eldorado, Jacona, La Cienega, Nambe, San Marcos, Stanley, and Tesuque accept recycling, green waste, and residential trash. sfswma.org+1

• Special / Hazardous Waste
  Use BuRRT for HHW drop-offs and check the City’s “Special Waste” page for accepted items like batteries, electronics, and fluorescent bulbs. Santa Fe, NM

2. Los Alamos County

• Eco Transfer Station
  Address: 3701 East Jemez Road, Los Alamos, NM
  Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m.; weekends 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Wastebits

• Overlook Convenience Center / White Rock
  Also accept recyclables, certain yard waste, and glass drop‑off bins. Los Alamos Reporter+2losalamosnm.us+2

• Household Hazardous Waste
  Monthly HHW collection is available at the Eco Station (9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.) on scheduled Fridays and some Saturdays. losalamosnm.us+1

• Curbside Recycling & Yard Trim Collection
  Los Alamos also supports roll-cart recycling and separate yard trimming collection for residents. losalamosnm.us+1

3. Rio Arriba / Taos / Northern Counties

• North Central Solid Waste Authority (NCSWA)
  Operates a network of transfer stations / collection centers such as Alcalde, Cordova, Tierra Amarilla, and El Prado. ncswa-nm.org

• These locations often accept mixed household waste, recyclables, bulky items, and sometimes green waste — check with your local center for accepted materials.

4. Albuquerque & Bernalillo County

• Recycling Drop-Off Sites
  Examples:

  • North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center (24/7) City of Albuquerque

  • Solid Waste Menaul Site (7 a.m.–7 p.m.) City of Albuquerque

  • Eagle Rock Convenience Center (hours vary) City of Albuquerque

• These drop-offs accept paper, cardboard, certain plastics, metals, etc.

5. Other Smaller Towns & Rural Areas

• Many rural areas rely on county or regional transfer stations rather than curbside service.

• It’s best to call your county’s solid waste department to find the nearest center.

• Some towns may host periodic collection events (e.g. HHW day, tire drop-off) — check with local government pages.

Tips & Best Practices for Recycling in Northern NM

• Separate glass — many places require glass to go in separate bins. In Santa Fe, glass must be dropped off, not placed in recycling carts. Santa Fe, NM

• Clean & dry your recyclables — remove food residues, flatten boxes, rinse containers.

• Call ahead for large or bulky items — some centers restrict appliances or large furniture unless pre-approved.

• Know hazardous waste rules — items like paint, batteries, chemicals must go to HHW facilities.

• Use free‑drop days — Santa Fe hosts free drop-off days for green waste or tires at convenience centers. GovDelivery

• Check hours & rules — many centers are only open certain days or limit load sizes.