Thousands Participate in Free Trash Drop-Off

Thousands of residents from Albuquerque and elsewhere in Bernalillo County were pleasantly surprised over the July 4 weekend to find out that their solid waste disposal fees at local convenience centers were waived.

The county’s Planning and Development Services Department partnered with the City of Albuquerque Solid Waste Department and used $20,000 from the New Mexico Clean and Beautiful grant to cover residents’ disposal fees – typically $5.25 per visit – at each of the three city-run convenience centers.

“We are appreciative of our partnerships with the city and the state’s Tourism Department to make this happen,” says Bernalillo County Planning and Development Services Director Nicholas Hamm. “We are especially glad to be able to do something like this for our residents who care enough to dispose of solid waste the right way.”

From Friday through Sunday, 3,809 residents took advantage of the promotion at the three city-operated convenience centers: 1,905 at Eagle Rock and 952 each at Don Reservoir and Montessa. They qualified for the waived fee by providing proof of city or county residency.