Residential Curbside Recycling

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

Each Albuquerque resident throws away 6.5 pounds of trash every day, or over one ton each year! Recycling, along with reducing and reusing the trash we produce, is an important component in the effort to preserve our natural resources and reduce environmental pollution.

The Solid Waste Management Department provides curbside pick-up of recyclables every week at most residential homes within the City of Albuquerque. We also provide convenient city-wide Recycling Drop-off Sites. With these services, every community member can help preserve the environment for future generations by recycling.

To ensure best service, safety, and health, please help us by:

• placing all materials on curb no later than 7 a.m. on your scheduled trash pick-up day.
• making sure recyclables are clearly recognizable and accessible at the curb.
• ensuring that each bundle or bag weighs less than 50 pounds.
• putting recyclables at the curb, 5 feet away from your automated trash cart.
• avoiding overloading plastic bags to prevent tearing.

Curb Recycling

The following materials can't be recycled:

• We don't recycle holiday wrapping paper
• We don't recycle telephone books at the curb
• We don't recycle styrofoam
• We don't recycle chipboard (cereal boxes)
• We don't service any recycle bin larger than 19-gallons.
• Glass containers: Because of the potential for worker injury, glass isn't collected curbside. You may take glass to one of the city-wide Recycling Drop-Off sites.

The following materials can be recycled:

• Newspapers, magazines, & shopping catalogs
• Junk mail and home office paper
• Tin and steel (small pieces/containers), aluminum cans
• #1 & #2 Plastic Bottles or Jugs, all plastic bottles and jugs with a screw top lid or that have a neck smaller than the base.
• Corrugated cardboard (flattened and bundled-see below for details)

How to Recycle

Remember these tips for recycling in Albuquerque.

Plastic, Tin, Steel & Aluminum Cans

• Use clear, plastic recycling bags (see below), small plastic shopping bags (double bag to avoid spilling or tie in a bundle) or a 19-gallon plastic bin to collect aluminum, tin, aerosol cans, and all plastic bottles and jugs
• #1 & #2 Plastic Bottles or Jugs should be cleaned and rinsed. Labels need not be removed.
• It is helpful, but not necessary, to separate plastics and metals.

Newspaper, Magazines & Paper Products

• Use strong twine or rope, recycling bags, or small plastic shopping bags (double bag to avoid spilling or tie in a bundle) to contain newspaper.
• Place remaining clean and flattened paper products in recycling bags.
• Corrugated Cardboard :Flatten or fold clean corrugated cardboard and tie with strong twine or rope into bundles weighing less than 50 pounds. Bundles should be no more than 4x2 feet.

Glass

Because of the potential for worker injury, glass is not collected curbside. You may take glass to one of our convenient city-wide Recycling Drop-Off sites.

Other Materials

See a guide to nonresidential recycling, which lists options for recycling materials not currently included in Albuquerque's recycling program.

Recycling Bags

Many larger grocery stores and retail outlets sell clear plastic recycling bags. Any clear, sturdy plastic bag may be used for containing recyclables. Coupons for free recycling bags are mailed to Albuquerque residents in city water bills once per year in August. Coupons are redeemable at the Solid Waste Management Department's main facility at 4600 Edith NE, at senior centers, and at some independent grocery stores. Recycling bags can also be purchased for $5.25 (tax included) for a roll of 30 bags at various locations throughout the city. *NOTE: We will be giving out coupons in August, 2013 which will be redeemable through December 1, 2013.  After that, the City will no longer provide plastic bags for recycling due to the new Blue Cart Recycle Program.

Apartment Recycling

All apartment complexes with 25 units or more are required to provide on-site recycling for their tenants through the Multi-Family Dwelling (MFD) Recycling Program.  Apartments with less than 25 units or those who do not currently receive curbside service are also eligible to participate in the MFD Recycling Program; however, it is strictly voluntary.  There are additional fees associated with this service; therefore, the service must be requested by the property owner.  Please note that glass is not accepted through the program, but is accepted, along with any of the above recyclables, at any one of our convenient city-wide Recycling Drop-off Sites.  For more information on MFD Recycling, please click here.

Missed Pick-ups

If your recyclables are not picked up on your regular collection day, call 311. Pick- up will be made within 24 hours or the next business day.