Recycling, along with reducing and reusing the trash we produce, is an important part in our efforts to preserve our natural resources and reduce pollution.

Each Albuquerque resident throws away nearly five pounds of trash every day. That's almost one ton of garbage per person each year!

What's Happening in Albuquerque?

Mayor Chávez and the City are working hard to increase recycling in Albuquerque. Here's what we're doing: 

• Zero Waste Initiative - Mayor Chávez has set forth a very aggressive plan to move forward on eliminating the concept of waste. The Mayor has adopted a "ZERO WASTE" goal and has laid out a twenty year plan that will move Albuquerque to a point where we can close the landfill. 
• Keep Albuquerque Beautiful - The Keep Albuquerque Beautiful program is an affiliate of the national Keep America Beautiful Program.  KAB's goal is to build environmental awareness through litter prevention, beautification, and solid waste management programs and acitivities. Learn more>>
• Recycling Pilot Program - The Curbside Pilot Program was implemented to provide an efficient curbside recycling program for the Albuquerque citizens. By automating collection of recycled materials, the  city hopes to improve collection efficiency, convenience, participation, and increase the volume of material recycled.    
• Compost Yard Debris and Organics - Composting not only keeps large amounts of material out of the landfill, and has additional benefits. The use of compost in Albuquerque's sandy soil helps to hold both water and nutrients. This allows gardeners and farmers to save water, and reduce fertilizer use.
• Residential Recycling - Recycling allows Albuquerque to extend the life of the Cerro Colorado Landfill. Recycling also helps reduce the amount of raw material, from trees to minerals, that is taken from the earth every year. By recycling we also help keep manufacturing costs down, raising the standard of living for all our citizens.
• Commercial Recycling Program - Commerical recycling is one method we can use in the pursuit of zero waste.  The city has implemented pilot commercial recycling accounts citywide. Developing a viable, cost effective commercial recycling program is an important step in reducing the amount of material that is buried. 
• Green Waste- Collecting Green Waste to convert into compost keeps over 1,800,000 pounds of material out of the landfill every year. Green waste from the Zoo, Bio-Park, and Parks & Recreation is mixed with green waste from residential and commercial customers and converted into compost. Soil that has had compost added to it will hold more water and more nutrients. There is siginificant opportunity to increase the amount green waste collected and composted.
• Government Recycling Programs - By requiring recycling containers in all city buildings the city is leading the way in doing what it is asking its citizens to do; Recycle, conserve and lead a sustainable life so that we will leave a better planet for our children and grandchildren. 
• Diversion of construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfill and incinerators (C&D waste).  See how this fits into the Mayor's sustainability plan.
• Green Practices in Park Design and Construction -Site furnishings such as benches and tables are typical features in City parks. These items are considered necessary as they add to the public's ability to enjoy the park. The City of Albuquerque continues to utilize tables and benches fabricated from recycled materials. Learn more about the recycled park equipment.
• Use of Manufactured By-Products - The City uses engineered wood fiber as a safety surface in play areas and as a ground cover in off-leash dog parks. This material is environmentally friendly, ADA compliant, and meets play ground safety standards. Traditional ground covers such as irrigated turf grass do not hold up to playground and dog park use. This wood product is made from remnant wood scraps from mills. Instead of burning the remnants they are ground into wood fiber and treated. 
• Recycle Demolition Material for Construction- Since 1992, the City of Albuquerque has provided in its standard specifications for public works construction the use of recycled asphalt and concrete. Recycled materials are available from the aggregate and asphalt industry.  The specifications also provide for recycling asphalt in place and mixing it into soil. This extends the life of our landfills and reduces the demand on natural resources.
• Road Milling Reuse - Road milling is the process of grinding up asphalt that can then be reused. The City retains road millings for use by City maintenance and other City departments.  The millings from the Street Rehabilitation Program are being used for walkways, parking lots, and alleys. 
• Recycling Construction Debris -  The Department of Municipal Development, Park Design and Construction Division is responsible for the design and construction of new parks. 
  • North Domingo Baca Park is a 40 acre community park located in northeast Albuquerque.
  • The park is directly adjacent to Kinney Dam and is built on land that included a retired landfill.
  • The park is a master planned facility designed to include recreation facilities as well as public buildings.
  • The park site is being considered for LEED “campus” certification. 
  • Recent construction included development of an off-leash dog park, site landscaping, and a parking lot. Demolition for this phase of work included removal of the landfill and diversion dyke.
  • Construction debris and household trash were excavated from the landfill and sifted from the dirt. A total of 1350 cubic yards of trash was hauled to an approved landfill and the dirt was reused.
  • Recycled materials consisting of 1050 cubic yards of soil cement from the dyke, 2400 cubic yards of concrete, and 900 cubic yards of asphalt were removed from the landfill and hauled to a local cement plant to be recycled. A total of 4350 cubic yards of recycled construction debris were diverted from the waste stream.