South Central Solid Waste Authority

South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) was established in 1994 and is the agency responsible for managing waste and recyclables for the City of Las Cruces and Doña County. SCSWA provides integrated solid waste management solutions for area residents and businesses. SCSWA has become a model for full-service, cost effective integrated waste management for an area that combines the urban area of the state’s second largest city and a 3,800 square mile rural area – larger than the combined area of Delaware and Rhode Island.

SCSWA system integrates solid waste disposal at the Corralitos Regional Landfill with waste diversion programs (single stream recycling, household hazardous waste collection, and drop off for green waste, white goods and E-waste) for the urban and remote rural areas. Successful public outreach and education has increased recycling and waste diversion. SCSWA also works collaboratively with local government entities to target illegal dumping. With an eye on 30 years into the future, SCSWA has embarked on comprehensive programs to expand and continuously improve these integrated services.

We manage the following:

• Corralitos Regional Landfill
• Amador Avenue Transfer Station
• The Recycling Center
• County Collection Centers
• Las Cruces Public Schools Recycling Program
• Hazardous and Household Hazardous disposal (residential use only – not for commercial disposal)
• Electronics Recycling
• Glass Recycling
• Sunland Park Curbside Trash Service
• Solid waste and recycling services for City of Truth or Consequences
• Commercial Recycling Services within the City of Las Cruces and limited commercial recycling services outside of the city limits/within Doña Ana County.

Residential Curbside Recycling

SCSWA oversees the collection contract for curbside recycling within the Las Cruces city limits. Curbside residential recycling services is provided via a collection hauler, Friedman Recycling. Residents within city limits are able to utilize a 96-gallon collection cart for bi-weekly recycling service. See list below of acceptable recyclable materials.The contracted hauler collects the recyclables from homes and transports the recyclables to the SCSWA Trash Transfer Station. The recyclables are then prepared and transported to the materials recovery facility, Friedman Recycling Plant, in northeast El Paso for final processing.

Do NOT recycle the following (in blue recycling containers)

• Garbage/Trash
• Garden Hoses
• Styrofoam
• Glass*
• Hazardous Waste**
• Batteries**
• Motor Oil Bottles or Any Used Automotive Oils and/or Fluids**
• Textiles or Used Clothing
• Pizza Boxes
• Light Bulbs
• Medical Waste
• Sharp Metals**
• Yard waste or Leaves***

Commercial Recycling

We encourage our local businesses to recycle and save!  Because recycling service can be up to 40% less expensive than solid waste service, businesses have a great opportunity to save significantly while helping the environment.  Join leading businesses that accomplish both by following the waste reduction and recycling tips below.  Remember, reducing your waste and recycling more makes business sense.

Electronics Recycling

The use of electronics have continued to grow over the past two decades. In 2009, discarded TVs, computers, peripherals, (including printers, scanners, fax machines) mice, keyboards and cell phones total 2.3 million short tons of the waste in the United States. Many electronics container precious metals that can be salvage as well as also containing toxic materials that should be disposed of in an environmentally-friendly manner.