News and Articles

04/09/2026

Santa Fe County expands solid waste free days

SANTA FE, NM, April 9, 2026—Santa Fe County's free solid waste days are back! These events help reduce illegal dumping, mitigate wildfire risk, and engage the community in keeping all of Santa Fe County clean and beautiful. This year, there are some changes we hope will make it easier for residents to participate.

Free tire recycling expanded from three weekends to a full month with funding support from the New Mexico Environment Department RAID grant. Additionally, residents can now show a valid ID and proof of address as an alternative to a solid waste permit to participate. Illegally dumped tires are a serious fire and environmental hazard, and proper recycling turns them into valuable new products like flooring, roofing, and sports surfaces.

The County is offering 12 free green waste days. County collection centers process green waste into mulch and compost. This is much safer and cleaner than openly burning green waste. The County website shares tips for how to create defensible space around your property to help protect it from wildfire. Properly disposing of green waste helps reduce wildfire risk.

The County is hosting two free trash days that coincide with the Keep Santa Fe Beautiful community cleanup events. This gives residents a convenient way to responsibly dispose of household waste while joining a broader effort to reduce litter across Santa Fe County.

Santa Fe County is celebrating Earth Day all month long, and County staff will help pick up trash during the Santa Fe Annual Citywide Spring Litter Cleanup Saturday April 18 (see flyer below). 

Free Tire Recycling Days

  • When: The entire month of May
  • Where: Six County Collection Centers (Eldorado, Jacona, La Cienega, Nambé, San Marcos, and Stanley), not including Tesuque
  • Eligibility: County residents with a valid solid waste permit or a valid ID with proof of an eligible address
  • Additional Details: Residents can recycle up to eight tires per person per day, and rims must be removed and placed in the scrap metal bin

Free Green Waste Disposal Days

  • When: April 10 and 11, May 8 and 9, June 12 and 13, July 10 and 11, August 7 and 8, September 4 and 5
  • Where: Stanley, Jacona, and Eldorado Collection Centers
  • Eligibility: County residents with a valid solid waste permit who are dropping off green waste
  • Additional Details: "Green waste" includes yard waste, lawn clippings, leaves, and tree trimmings (under 18" diameter). It does NOT include weeds, cholla cactus, sod, root balls, stumps, lumber, treated wood, dirt, rocks, or construction materials.

Free Trash Disposal Days

  • When: Saturday, April 18, 2026 (in support of the Great American Cleanup) and Saturday, September 19 (in support of the Toss No Mas Cleanup)
  • Where: All Seven County Collection Centers
  • Eligibility: County residents with a valid solid waste permit who are dropping off residential solid waste

Flyer: Lead by example! Join your neighborhood for the Great American Cleanup! Santa Fe's Annual Citywide Spring Litter Cleanup, Saturday April 18, 9a.m. to noon. Photo op at 9 a.m. at 1142 Siler Road. Questions? Email SFBeautiful@SantaFeNM.gov or call 505-955-4225. Visit SustainabilitySanatFe.or/KSFB.

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