A very expensive tractor trailer has been added to the boneyard at Corralitos Regional Landfill, thanks to someone who dumped something flammable into their trash. It’s a $100,000 custom-made 18-wheel trailer that went up in smoke and flames, creating a tense situation for South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA).
“At this time of year, people may be cleaning up their fireplaces and not realize the ashes still contain a hot coal… or maybe someone threw away Christmas lights that still had a battery connected,” explained Patrick Peck, SCSWA Director. “A simple action leads to a dangerous effort to put out the burn where all hands on deck came together to put it out.”
Peck received a call in the middle of the night and headed to the SCSWA Transfer Station where the burning load had to be carefully taken from the smoldering truck and then extinguished bit by bit. This was the fourth load to have caught fire since the beginning of December.
Las Cruces Utilities Solid Waste Administer Robin Lawrence says it’s not just hot coals and ashes that can ignite other trash, but also loose, unbagged trash. “We had some loose trash, when dumped out of the container, didn’t make it into the ‘hopper’ of the truck,” she said. “The trash fell down behind the cab and landed on top of the transmission, igniting a fire.”
Please always bag your trash, but never bag recyclables. Hot coals or ashes from a fireplace or fire ring should be soaked with water before being put into any residential trash container or dumpster. This is for your safety, too: coals or ashes can ignite a fire in your own trash bin risking your own home and family.
If you have flammables – such as a can of gasoline – the proper and safe disposal is to take it to the SCSWA Recycling Yard (2855 W. Amador) and pour the liquid into the 55 gallon drum in the Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) area, or take it to any of the 8 County Collection Centers where you can leave off the can and gasoline in the HHW area. There is no cost to the resident; the SCSWA will have the flammable liquid recycled.
Other potentially dangerous items that should not be thrown into a residential or commercial trash bin: Dead animals, vehicle parts including car batteries; paint, paint thinners, oil, gas, or other hazardous waste; fluorescent light bulbs or fluorescent light fixtures with ballasts; anything known to be toxic, flammable, corrosive, or an irritant; and appliances.
Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) managing solid waste and recyclables for residents and businesses throughout Doña Ana County. Contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.