New Mexico county near bottom of recycling rate

Posted at: 09/21/2009 11:41 AM | Updated at: 09/21/2009 11:43 AM
By: The Associated Press

FARMINGTON, N.M. (AP) - A state Environment Department report shows the recycling rate in San Juan County was among the five worst in New Mexico last year, with less than one percent of garbage being recycled.

Officials are hoping to change that statistic this year.

The Four Corners district manager for Waste Management, Dennis Gallegos, says the city of Farmington has been collecting an average of 80 tons of recyclable material each month since the city of Farmington started its curbside recycling program nine months ago.

Gallegos said that's 6.4 percent of the estimated 1,250 tons taken monthly from residences to the county landfill.

The Environment Department says an average 12.4 percent of materials sent to landfills statewide are recycled.

The national recycling rate is nearly 34 percent.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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