Frustrated Las Cruces recyclers are asking why they cannot drop off glass bottles and jars for now, and why the drop-off recycling centers remain closed for now at:
● Las Cruces Recycling Center Dropoff – 2855 Amador Ave.
● Sonoma Ranch Recycling Drop Off Center – 555 S. Sonoma Ranch Blvd.
South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) Director, Patrick Peck responds, “We have temporarily closed the recycling centers as there is no way to thoroughly disinfect these facilities or the bottles and jars inside the bins; saliva in bottles and jars can contain the Coronavirus still in the active stage. The latest information is that the Coronavirus is still active up to 5 days on the surface of glass. When glass is crushed in our pulverizer we introduce water, activating the virus in an airborne stage that puts operators and the general public at risk.”
Recyclers might choose to store their glass for a while, but customers who do not want to store glass bottles and jars, should throw them in the trash. Recycled glass makes up 1/10 of 1% of the waste managed by the SCSWA.
Peck says, “We are willing to be overly cautious to protect our population and to sustain the solid waste and recycling operations of the SCSWA. After the COVID-19 pandemic is over, we hope to be able to resume normal operations.
Just yesterday the Governor of New Mexico officially extended the Emergency Order through April 30, requiring New Mexico residents to stay home except for essential tasks. More information at the governor’s COVID-19 website at: https://cv.nmhealth.org/
The Amador Avenue Transfer Station – 2865 Amador Ave., Las Cruces – also remains closed to general public. Only Essential Businesses may bring in solid waste at this location. Essential Businesses must provide a letter documenting the name of business, the business license number, the type of business, name of employee, contact information (address and phone numbers) for the business and the employee.
The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) can be reached at (575) 528-3800 from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. The SCSWA manages solid waste and recyclables for residents and businesses throughout Las Cruces and Doña Ana County.