Los Alamos Eco Station on West Jemez Road. Courtesy/LAC

GREEN News:

As Los Alamos County continues to promote sustainable waste practices, residents are encouraged to stay up to date on best recycling habits and proper trash management, especially in areas frequented by wildlife.

Recycling, what goes in and what should stay out.

1. Items that can be recycled:

• Clean paper / mix cardboard
• Clean cardboard that is broken down to manageable sizes
• Metal cans (aluminum, tin, and steel)
• Plastics labeled #1-7’s (must be rinsed and free of residue)
• Please remove contained plastic items from plastic bag liners as it will be recognized as trash
• Glass bottles and jars (lids removed), DO NOT place GLASS in blue carts (utilize the four glass drop-off locations)

2. Items that cannot be recycled:

• Plastic bags, film or cling wrap
• Styrofoam—even if labeled recyclable
• Food-contaminated materials like greasy pizza boxes
• “Tanglers” such as hoses, wires or chains
• Diapers and sanitary products
• DO NOT place any GLASS items in the blue cart

3. Prepare for perfect Recycling:

• To make sure recycling efforts count:
• Rinse all containers thoroughly
• Flatten cardboard to save space
• When in doubt, throw it out wishful recycling often causes more harm than good

Keep It Clean to Keep It Recycled

Despite strong community support for recycling, the 2018 audit show that 18 percent of local recycling loads are rediverted back into the waste stream and landfill bound at the processing facility due to contamination. The biggest culprits are food-soiled items, plastic bags, and mixed materials that aren’t properly sorted and items that are falsely marked with the recycle symbol.

Keeping recyclables clean and correctly separated is the best way to ensure they avoid the increased landfill hauling cost/distances and tipping fees. The County of Los Alamos Environmental service Division is scheduled for a new waste audit that will be performed by the contracted recycling facility.

The recycling guidelines outlined above are expected to be followed not only for curbside collection but also at the designated drop-off locations provided by Los Alamos County.

These include:

• Lemon Lot – full recycling, glass, and limited disposal services
• Overlook Convenience Center – accepts mixed recycling, clean cardboard only, and glass
• The Co+op – glass recycling only
• Eco Station – full recycling, glass and disposal services

Residents are encouraged to sort materials properly and ensure items are clean and contaminant-free at all sites to support efficient and effective recycling efforts.

To help ensure efficient collection and avoid service delays, residents are also reminded of the following trash and brush set-out guidelines:

Residential Trash & Brush Collection Tips

4. To prevent a No Service/Unable to Service designation, please follow these curbside collection standards:

• Place carts curbside by 8 a.m. on the scheduled collection day. Carts placed out after the truck has serviced an area may not be collected.
• Late pull-outs—after both sides of the street have been serviced—cannot be accommodated.
• If residents have multiple carts, ensure they are spaced at least two feet apart. This helps prevent carts from tipping over during collection and minimizes the risk of scattered waste or damage to nearby property.
• All waste should be bagged inside the cart to reduce loose litter and wind-blown debris.

Keep carts clear of obstacles such as:

• Mailboxes
• Parked vehicles
• Overhead branches or power lines
• Drivers are trained to operate safely and will avoid servicing carts that pose a risk of property damage or injury.

Additionally, carts must remain within weight limits and free of non-allowable materials. Avoid placing the following into trash or brush carts:

• Concrete, dirt, or heavy pet waste (especially unbagged)
• Tree stumps or oversized branches that extend more than two feet out of the cart
• HOT ASHES, during our cold seasons pose as a load fire risk and potential loss of equipment
• Chemicals will also pose as a load fire risk and potential loss of equipment
• Carts are designed to handle up to 250 pounds. Overloaded or improperly filled carts may be left unemptied due to equipment limitations.
• By following these simple set-out guidelines and recycling properly, residents can help keep Los Alamos clean, safe, and sustainable for all.

Bear Safety & Trash Set-Out Tips

5. Even with or without a bear-resistant carts, improper use can attract unwanted wildlife. Here are a few simple practices to reduce risk:

• Store carts indoors or in a secure location until collection day
• Set carts out after 6 a.m. and NO later than 8 a.m. on trash day, NOT the night before
• Never leave food waste or cooking oil in bins overnight
• For especially odorous items like meat scraps, freeze them and place in the cart the morning of collection

Live in White Rock and noticed bear activity on the street and need a Bear-Resistant Cart?

Residents in bear-prone neighborhoods are encouraged to register for a bear-resistant cart.

To request a bear-resistant cart or to learn more visit:

• https://www.losalamosnm.us/Services/Trash-and-Recycling/Residential-Trash-and-Recycling/Roll-Carts

Once registered for a bear-resistant cart, please note that delivery operates on a two-week window from the time registration is completed. Cart exchanges will occur on regularly scheduled curbside collection day, so residents are asked to leave their current cart at the curb for the swap on that day.

By recycling right and managing waste responsibly, Los Alamos residents can help protect the environment and wildlife.