Trash & Recycling in Las Cruces, NM (2026)
9 verified trash & recycling rules for Las Cruces, New Mexico, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Pickup Rules & Schedules
Every residential property in Las Cruces must use the city's curbside service, cannot hire a third-party hauler, and gets a city-owned container that can only hold solid waste, under Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-39. Sec. 25-43 further requires waste to be drained of liquids, bagged, and tied before it goes out.
Las Cruces Trash Container & Bagging Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances §§ 25-39(a)(1)-(2), 25-43 (Containers generally; Placement in containers)
(a)For customers using residential solid waste service:(1)All residential properties within the city limits shall use the city's curbside solid waste services for the collection and disposal of solid waste. Residential properties within the city limits shall not use any third-party commercial solid waste service for solid waste management.(2)All residential properties within the city limits sha...
Bin Placement Rules
Residential carts in Las Cruces must stay on private property except on collection day, and even then can only go out the evening before, no later than 6:00 a.m., and must come back in by 7:00 p.m., under Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-58 and Sec. 25-59. Carts must sit wheels-to-curb with the lid facing the street.
Las Cruces Garbage Cart Set-Out Times
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances §§ 25-58, 25-59(a)-(b) (Container storage; Container service location)
All residential solid waste containers shall be located on private property except on collection day when they shall be placed upon the edge of the alley or street for collection. Following collection, they shall be returned to private property.... (a)Containers may be placed out for collection the evening before collection, but no later than 6:00 a.m. on the day of collection and shall be retu...
Bulk Item Disposal
Las Cruces residents can set oversized items too big for their trash cart at the curb for the regular Grappler service on their designated pickup day under Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-40. Items must clear a five-foot buffer from meters, wires, and obstacles and cannot go out earlier than the night before, no later than 6:00 a.m.
Las Cruces Bulky Item Grappler Pickup Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 25-40(7)-(9), (11) (Special handling of items placed for collection, bulky trash, and green waste)
(7)Residential customers may utilize the regular Grappler service to pick up bulky items too large to fit in the city-issued trash container. Items shall be placed on the street, at the curb, in front of their property, for collection by the regular Grappler on their designated pick up day. Commercial customers may utilize this service for an additional fee as designated in the solid waste tari...
Recycling Requirements
Curbside recycling in Las Cruces runs through a partnership between the city and the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA). Participation is optional, but every residential customer pays the program cost whether or not they take part, and pickup happens at least every other week.
Las Cruces Residential Recycling Program Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-141(a)-(b)
The collection of approved recyclable materials from residential properties is performed via a partnership with the City of Las Cruces (CLC) and South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) or contracted service provider. Collection of recyclables by any person other than SCSWA or their designated contractor is prohibited. Participation in the residential recycling program is optional and furthe...
Illegal Dumping
Dumping litter, trash, or debris on any street, alley, right-of-way, arroyo, or private land without the owner's consent is a petty misdemeanor in Las Cruces carrying a flat $300 fine under Code of Ordinances Sec. 19-45. Placing your own solid waste with someone else's to dodge collection fees also meets the city's illegal dumping definition in Sec. 25-1.
Las Cruces Illegal Dumping Fines
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 19-45(b), (h) (Littering)
Dumping litter is prohibited. It is unlawful for any person to dump litter in any manner or amount:(1)In or on any public highway, road, street, alley, or thoroughfare, including any portion of the right of way, or any other public lands, except in container or areas lawfully provided therefore. When litter is thrown or discarded from a motor vehicle, the operator or owner of the vehicle, or bo...
Yard Waste Collection
Grass clippings, weeds, and leaves must go out in clear plastic bags for the city's Green Grappler service under Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-40, while cactus trimmings and branches under five feet long and five inches thick can be stacked loose at the curb. Amounts over the tariff-set allotment are the property owner's responsibility to haul away.
Las Cruces Green Grappler Yard Waste Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances § 25-40(3)-(4), (6) (Special handling of items placed for collection, bulky trash, and green waste)
(3)Residential customers may utilize the Green Grappler service and place green waste, such as grass clippings, weeds and leaves in clear plastic bags and placed on the street, at the curb, in front of their property, for collection by the Green Grappler service on their designated pick up day. Commercial customers may utilize this service for an additional fee as designated in the solid waste ...
Dumpster Rules
Business dumpster enclosures in Las Cruces must meet city specifications under Sec. 38-61 of the Municipal Code, with size and location approved by the utilities department and the deputy director of solid waste. Enclosures can't sit in a right-of-way, easement, or under overhead wires, signage, or trees.
Las Cruces Commercial Dumpster Placement Rules
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-68
All enclosures shall conform to city specifications as required by section 38-61 of this Code. The specifications regarding size and location of the dumpster enclosure shall be determined by the utilities department and shall be subject to approval by the deputy director. Enclosures shall not be constructed, stationed, or maintained upon any public right-of-way or easement, nor under any overhe...
Collection Schedule
The city and its authorized agents hold the exclusive right to collect residential and commercial waste in Las Cruces under Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-36, and it is unlawful for anyone else to collect it. The actual pickup days and hours are not fixed in the code; Sec. 25-37 leaves them to the solid waste tariffs adopted by resolution of the Las Cruces Utilities Board.
Las Cruces Trash Collection Schedule Rule
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances §§ 25-36(a)-(b), 25-37 (Exclusive right of collection; Frequency of collection)
(a)The city and its duly authorized agents shall have the exclusive right to collect waste produced or generated from single-family residences within the city limits or to contract for or franchise for such collection, and it shall be unlawful for any person to collect such residentially generated waste within the city limits.(b)The city and its duly authorized agents shall have the exclusive r...
Recycling Rules
Households that opt out of Las Cruces curbside recycling still pay the program fee and get no container, and SCSWA will pull a container after repeated contamination notices. Putting hazardous waste in a recycling bin, or anything other than approved materials, is a violation under Sec. 25-143.
Las Cruces Recycling Contamination & Non-Compliance
Some RestrictionsLas Cruces, NM, Code of Ordinances Sec. 25-143(a)-(c)
A residential customer who chooses not to participate in the recycling program shall not receive nor retain any recycling containers, program costs will still be assessed monthly. Residential customers who fail to comply with the requirements of this article will be notified in writing by SCSWA of their non-compliance. After a minimum of two such notifications have been given to the residential...
Looking for Doña Ana County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Las Cruces city rules.
Trash & Recycling in Doña Ana County →