Landfills & Dumps in New Mexico

New Mexico's solid waste management is regulated by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED), which recently renamed its Solid Waste Bureau to the Resource Recovery Bureau to reflect an expanded mission in sustainable materials management. Beyond permitting and compliance oversight for disposal facilities, the Bureau administers recycling and composting initiatives, manages grant programs, and works to reduce waste and advance a circular economy. NMED manages solid waste through permits, regulation enforcement, outreach, closure plan approvals, and oversight of landfill liner installations and monitoring systems.

The Resource Recovery Bureau is launching an update to New Mexico's Solid Waste Management Plan in 2025, the first revision since 2015, with funding from the EPA's Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) program and support from Burns & McDonnell consultants. The project will modernize statewide waste management strategies, strengthen data collection, and set goals for recycling, food waste reduction, and sustainable materials management. Stakeholder engagement began at the 2025 New Mexico Recycling & Solid Waste Conference in Santa Fe.

Regional landfills in population centers like Albuquerque and Santa Fe typically charge $25 to $40 per ton, with residential self-haul fees ranging from $15 to $35 per pickup load. Some facilities impose minimum charges regardless of load size. Rural communities and tribal lands often rely on transfer stations that consolidate waste for transport to regional disposal facilities, which can increase costs in remote areas.

New Mexico's 23 federally recognized tribes and pueblos operate their own waste management facilities under separate regulatory frameworks. If you live on or near tribal land, contact the tribal environmental office directly for disposal options, as regulations, fees, and accepted materials differ from state-regulated facilities. Some tribal facilities accept waste from non-members for a fee.

The Solid Waste Facility Grant program provides funding to municipalities, solid waste authorities, educational institutions, and cooperative associations for landfill closure, groundwater and methane monitoring, transfer station improvements, and other facility upgrades. The arid climate creates unique operational considerations including wind-blown debris control and limited water resources. Before visiting any facility, contact NMED or the facility directly to confirm accepted materials, current fees, and operating hours.