Not in my Backyard

Recycling

One of the state's goals is to keep more trash OUT of our landfills. We can do this by producing less garbage and recycling more items.

The state's goal was to divert 500,000 tons of waste from landfills by the year 2000. We are not close to reaching that goal. In 1997, about 267,000 tons of waste was diverted. This is mainly the Batteriesresult of municipal recycling programs. Cities target hazardous household waste which they would prefer not end up in landfills. Centers are set up for residents to deposit old paint, pesticides, car batteries, appliances, and so on. These items are either recycled or sent to hazardous waste facilities out of state.

Newspaper recycling has seen some success in many areas of New Mexico. Offices help with recycling office paper. Cans and plastic also have markets. Glass is more problematic. Communities are being encourage to target yard waste for recycling, because it makes up a large percentage of the total waste stream and can be easily sorted and recycled.

For more information on New Mexico landfills or on the KRWG TV program, "Not In My Backyard," contact producer Gary Worth at gworth@nmsu.edu or telephone (505) 646-2819 or write Box 30001, MSC TV22, Las Cruces, NM 88003.


 


KRWG TV is a public service of New Mexico State University. © 2006, Regents of New Mexico State University. MSC TV22, New Mexico State University, P.O. Box 30001, Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001. (505) 646-2222. Contact information. Legal information. Last update on March 8, 2007 .