Las Cruces, NM Trash & Recycling: Recycling Requirements (2026)

Under Sec. 25-141, only SCSWA or its designated contractor may collect recyclables from residential properties; it's unlawful for anyone else to pick up recycling set out for that program. Residents who opt in get one or more marked recycling containers that stay the property of the city/SCSWA, and only approved recyclable materials can go in them, materials that can change over time but only after resident notification and SCSWA approval. Recyclables must be placed loose in the container, not bagged. Sec. 25-142 sets the collection frequency floor at no less than once every other week, with SCSWA setting the actual days, including how holidays shift the schedule.

Billing works through the same utility account as trash service: recycling program costs are assessed to every residential customer's utility bill under Sec. 25-141(f), regardless of whether that household actually participates, so opting out doesn't reduce the monthly charge. The container itself remains city/SCSWA property throughout, which is why it isn't retained if a household later stops participating.