By Sharon Guerrero, Zero Waste Team
Most of us have questions about the new recycling initiative being implemented in Santa Fe city and county. Here are some helpful hints and websites to clarify any questions you may have.
If you still have questions, contact Adam Schlacter, education outreach coordinator, Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency at 505-424-1850, ext. 420, or e-mail: aschlachter@sfswma.org.
• All City of Santa Fe residents should have two recycling bins: One for glass ONLY and a second for mixed recycling (everything BUT glass).
• Please keep caps on all bottles and jars that are being recycled.
• Paperboard/chipboard (e.g. cereal boxes, cracker boxes, manila folders, etc.) are now accepted at the curb and at drop-off centers.
• Paperboard can be placed with your mixed recycling OR bundled with your cardboard.
• Please make sure to recycle your pizza boxes without any greasy paper, little plastic tents and leftover pizza.
• All No. 1 and No. 2 jars/bottles with a neck and screw or flip top are recyclable.
• Just because something has a recycling symbol does NOT mean it’s recyclable.
• Please do not recycle clamshell packaging, Styrofoam, plastic bags, or items containing food waste.
• If you don’t recycle weekly, please rinse your containers or you’ll have unwanted visitors eating the food residue.
• Similar to the city, county residents should keep their glass separate for drop-off at County convenience centers.
• It is anticipated that, as of July 2016, both the city and county curbside collection will include automated carts for collection rather than bins.
• It is anticipated that as of July 2016, the list of acceptable materials will be expanded.
For more information:
County: www.santafecountynm.gov/public_works/solidwaste
City: www.santafenm.gov/trash_and_recycling
Santa Fe Recycling:
www.SantaFeRecycling.org
Santa Fe County ordinance proposed for one-stream recycling and map: www.santafecountynm.gov/public_works/solidwaste
Feature image by Alberto Martinez
License under Creative Commons