Rio Rancho, NM Trash & Recycling: Pickup Rules & Schedules (2026)

Solid waste collection in Rio Rancho is governed by Chapter 50 of the Municipal Code. Under Section 50.06, solid waste accumulated in the city shall be collected, conveyed, and disposed of by the city or its contractors, and no person other than the authorized contractor may collect or dispose of solid waste, except that a producer or property owner may personally haul their own waste to an authorized landfill in a sanitary manner. The City contracts with Waste Management as the authorized hauler. Section 50.07(A)(3)(b) requires that solid waste and recyclable materials from all residential premises be collected and disposed of once per week. Section 50.07(A)(3)(a) sets the timing: all residential containers (other than for a qualified physically disabled resident) must be placed for pickup no later than 7:00 a.m. on the regularly scheduled day, but no earlier than 7:00 p.m. the evening prior to pickup. Service is compulsory: Section 50.10(A) requires the property owner or agent to arrange collection and pay the established fees whether or not the service is actually used, consistent with NMSA Sections 3-48-1 through 3-48-7. Charges become delinquent 45 days after the close of the month's service. The contractor may observe New Year's Day, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, and Christmas as non-collection days, with collection shifted to the closest Saturday before or after the holiday (Section 50.07(C)(4)). Violations of Chapter 50 are punishable by a fine of no less than $25 and no more than $500, with each day a separate offense (Section 50.99).