The Merge

Figures were kept throughout August and September on program participation and tonnage collection. The first week of August had of 41 percent participation with the pilot program, collecting 2.34 tons of material. The last week showed 35 percent participation with a collection of 1.53 tons of material. By the second week of September, there was 42 percent participation, with 1.93 tons of material collected. The last week of August ended with 36 percent participation and 1.63 tons of material collected.

Kemmer said the city council will review the data recorded from this trial recycling program to determine if it will become a citywide service, or to discontinue the service and keep the drop-off centers.

Acceptible materials for pick up include cardboards, newspapers and aluminum cans. Large cardboards be folded and placed under plastic containers.

The city of Las Cruces benefits by having more land fill space, preserving natural resources and showing some consideration to future generations, Kemmer said.

“Being in a diverse culture, some people are for it and some could care less,” Kemmer said. He also said for the past four years, the recycling business has remained at a decent and steady pace.

Glass bottles are not being picked up because there is no market for them. It is cheaper to make new glass than having to thoroughly clean the recycled glass, Kemmer said.

The question of “doesn’t it cost more to recycle?” is best answered from a recycling brochure updated yearly. According to the brochure, “Yes, it costs more, but prices for goods made from recyclables will only come down as the demand goes up. In the end, it helps promote further “buy recycled” efforts, reduces your waste disposal costs, creates jobs, and conserves our valuable natural resources!”

The City of Las Cruces Recycling Center also offers recycling services to offices that need stacks of papers to be picked up and recycled. Businesses are allowed to have a cardboard recycle container for a monthly charge of $30.00. They also offer businesses the option of picking up yard waste for $20.00 per ton.

The City Recycling Center is located at 2855 West Amador Avenue. Other locations listed below accept newspapers, telephone books, cardboard and aluminum.

*Fire Station #5, 4851 Porter Road at Highway 70

*New Mexico Skate Center, 3111 North Main Street (telephone books not accepted)

*Big K-Mart, 1240 El Paseo Road

*Thrifty Nickel, 580 South Valley Drive

*Mesilla Valley Mall, near the southwest corner of J.C. Penney

*Las Cruces Sun-News, 256 West Las Cruces Avenue



N E W S						Issue 15

Does it Cost to Recycle?
By Yasmin Pinon
Recycle, reuse and reduce: these three words should be kept in mind while throwing away paper or any type of garbage, especially with a recycling program on the horizon for Las Cruces. The City of Las Cruces Solid Waste Section created a program currently in effect called the Pilot Curbside Recycling Program. Klaus Kemmer, a solid waste administrator, said the City Council approved a trial six-month pilot program for residential customers in specific areas. The current route is located in the High Range area, with 970 homes on the free recycling route. Free blue plastic containers were given out before Aug. 1 with a notice instructing residents to place the blue containers on the curb by 6 a.m. every Monday for pick up.
Photo: Alex Cruz
Figures were kept throughout August and September on program participation and tonnage collection. The first week of August had of 41 percent participation with the pilot program, collecting 2.34 tons of material. The last week showed 35 percent participation with a collection of 1.53 tons of material. By the second week of September, there was 42 percent participation, with 1.93 tons of material collected. The last week of August ended with 36 percent participation and 1.63 tons of material collected. Kemmer said the city council will review the data recorded from this trial recycling program to determine if it will become a citywide service, or to discontinue the service and keep the drop-off centers. Acceptible materials for pick up include cardboards, newspapers and aluminum cans. Large cardboards be folded and placed under plastic containers. The city of Las Cruces benefits by having more land fill space, preserving natural resources and showing some consideration to future generations, Kemmer said. “Being in a diverse culture, some people are for it and some could care less,” Kemmer said. He also said for the past four years, the recycling business has remained at a decent and steady pace. Glass bottles are not being picked up because there is no market for them. It is cheaper to make new glass than having to thoroughly clean the recycled glass, Kemmer said. The question of “doesn’t it cost more to recycle?” is best answered from a recycling brochure updated yearly. According to the brochure, “Yes, it costs more, but prices for goods made from recyclables will only come down as the demand goes up. In the end, it helps promote further “buy recycled” efforts, reduces your waste disposal costs, creates jobs, and conserves our valuable natural resources!” The City of Las Cruces Recycling Center also offers recycling services to offices that need stacks of papers to be picked up and recycled. Businesses are allowed to have a cardboard recycle container for a monthly charge of $30.00. They also offer businesses the option of picking up yard waste for $20.00 per ton. The City Recycling Center is located at 2855 West Amador Avenue. Other locations listed below accept newspapers, telephone books, cardboard and aluminum. Fire Station #5, 4851 Porter Road at Highway 70 New Mexico Skate Center, 3111 North Main Street (telephone books not accepted) Big K-Mart, 1240 El Paseo Road Thrifty Nickel, 580 South Valley Drive Mesilla Valley Mall, near the southwest corner of J.C. Penney Las Cruces Sun-News, 256 West Las Cruces Avenue