At the beginning of 2018, China turned the global recycling industry upside down. Overnight the “land of the rising sun” went from being the largest recipient of most of the world’s recyclables to rejecting most of the international ships loaded with recycling due to contamination issues (China lowered the acceptable rate to point-5 percent) or because the recycling was full of materials they suddenly no longer accepted. The impacts were global.
Las Cruces’ nationally-recognized “Cadillac” curbside recycling program took a punch to the stomach – after 10 years of success and awards.
But that’s old news – now it’s six months later! The question for us today is, “How do we rebuild Las Cruces’ recycling program for the future?”
We now have national numbers to explain how big the problem is. This week MSN news reported, “China just handed the world a 111-metric ton trash problem.” By 2030, University of Georgia researchers estimate that by 111 million metric tons of used plastic – that’s just plastic – will be buried in U.S. landfills or recycled somewhere else—or not manufactured at all.
Cities across the US are working hard to find a new balance – and the recycling pendulum is swinging to (wait for it…)
- personal responsibility, and
- bringing recycling local.
A reputable online recycling and waste industry site (WasteDive.com) explains it like this: When you buy something, are you thinking, “Do I need this? If I buy this, how do I dispose of the item I'm replacing? If I'm replacing something, what can I do with that old item? What's the proper way of disposing it? Do I have any ability to reuse it?” Wow!
The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) encourages this type of mindfulness. At the same time, the SCSWA is looking at regional recycling options. Forget China! Let’s make recycling local – or at least regional – again. The big challenge for Las Cruces is that, other than Friedman Recycling, with its processing facility in El Paso, the nearest recycling facilities are 200 – 300 miles away.
This fall, the SCSWA will host three “Listening Sessions” in Las Cruces to explain where we are with recycling and provide an overview of options. The SCSWA wants your input to understand how YOU want recycling to work for the next 10 years in Las Cruces.
Right now, in Las Cruces: nothing has changed. Please recycle ONLY the items listed on top of your blue curbside bin. They must be clean and dry. No food, no garbage, and no objects that you “think” might be recyclable.
Look for upcoming articles listing exactly when and where the Listening Sessions will be held. We hope you will join us to paint the new picture of what recycling will look like for all of us in the coming decade!
Submitted by SCSWA
The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) supports all sound environmental efforts and manages solid waste and recyclables for residents and businesses throughout Doña Ana County. Contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.