Solid Waste Management Plan Update
The Resource Recovery Bureau, with funding from the EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program and support from contractors Burns & McDonnell and Resource Recycling Systems (RRS), is developing an update to New Mexico’s Solid Waste Management Plan, which was last revised in 2015.
Collectively, the project will modernize statewide waste management strategies, strengthen data collection, and set goals for recycling, food waste reduction, and sustainable materials management. This will move New Mexico toward a more circular economy.
Key steps to the success of the project include:
- Evaluating generation and diversion tonnage
- Evaluating waste management infrastructure, including facility location and population density
- Identifying barriers and opportunities to divert more materials, including recyclables, organics, special waste, and HHW, and improving reduction through reuse and prevention
- Ensuring representation from stakeholders
- Drafting strategies to move New Mexico toward specific goals
Stakeholder engagement will play a critical role in the development of the plan, beginning with participation at the 2025 New Mexico Recycling & Solid Waste Conference in Santa Fe from September 30 to October 1. Opportunities for feedback throughout 2026 will include stakeholder interviews, virtual workshops, and a virtual open house. Solid waste authorities and districts, cities, towns, counties, tribal nations, solid waste and recycling companies, and recycling and waste prevention nonprofits are encouraged to participate and share their perspectives.
The project team welcomes information from interested participants and groups on the following:
- Insight into how materials management works in the state
- Waste prevention and reduction activities that could be scaled to more communities
- Resources needed to build stronger programs
- Education and outreach opportunities
- Opportunities for regional or statewide collaboration
Refer back to this page regularly for project updates and engagement opportunities, and e-mail rrb.inbox@env.nm.gov with questions, inquiries, or input.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
- What is and why have a solid waste master plan?
- The Solid Waste Management Plan (“Plan”) guides decision-making around solid waste and recycling statewide. It includes short- and long-term goals and provides valuable insight into waste quantities and types, diversion quantities and types, solid waste facilities and infrastructure, education and outreach, and funding mechanisms.
- Why are we updating our Plan?
- The first Solid Waste Management Plan was drafted and implemented in 1993. A subsequent version was produced in 2007, and the most recent Plan was created by the Solid Waste Bureau in 2015.
- An updated Plan is necessary to stay aligned with the evolving landscape of waste management and resource recovery. This will enable New Mexico to make progress toward its diversion targets and broader environmental and climate goals, foster new market opportunities for materials management, support equity and community needs, and address gaps and opportunities unique to New Mexico.
- NMED recognizes that most municipal solid waste in New Mexico is still landfilled. However, over the past 20 years, New Mexico has made progress in recycling and continues to work with many partners toward state and national recycling goals. Updates to the Plan will support the Resource Recovery Bureau’s focus on viewing waste as a resource to be recovered.
- Who is developing the Plan update?
- The Plan is led by the Resource Recovery Bureau, with funding from the EPA’s Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program and support from contractors Burns & McDonnell and Resource Recycling Systems
- What are the goals of the Plan?
- Modernize statewide waste management strategies, strengthen data collection, and set achievable goals for recycling, food waste reduction, and sustainable materials management, to help New Mexico move toward a more circular economy.
- What are the key activities of the Plan?
- Evaluating generation and diversion tonnage
- Evaluating waste management infrastructure, including facility location and population density
- Identifying barriers and opportunities to divert more materials, including recyclables, organics, special waste, and HHW, and improving reduction through reuse and prevention
- Ensuring representation from stakeholders
- Drafting strategies to move New Mexico toward specific goals
- How can I get involved?
- Engagement and feedback are critical to this project. Outreach will include stakeholder interviews, virtual workshops, and a virtual open house to review draft strategies.
- Solid waste authorities and districts, cities, towns, counties, tribal nations, solid waste and recycling companies, and recycling and waste prevention nonprofits are encouraged to participate and share their perspectives.
- Interested individuals are encouraged to regularly visit (insert website landing page URL once created) for project updates and engagement opportunities, and e-mail rrb.inbox@env.nm.gov with questions or inquiries.
- What are we looking for from stakeholders?
- Insight into how materials management works in the stateWaste prevention and reduction activities that could be scaled to more communities
- Resources needed to build stronger programs
- Education and outreach opportunities
- Opportunities for regional or statewide collaboration
- When will the Plan update be complete?
- The expected completion date is September 30, 2026.