New Transfer Station Aims to Minimize Landfill Dumping

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): The Los Lunas Solid Waste Department Transfer Station has been upgraded with new offices, a welding shed and recycle bins at its site four miles west of Interstate 25. 

The station is connected to the village network with an antenna-based hook-up via satellite.

Staff says the transfer station should not be confused with a landfill operation, because it is actually a large recycling center.

“This is not a landfill operation; this is a transfer station and a transfer station is designed to try to minimize what we dump at the landfill by using recycling methods,” said Michael Jaramillo, director of public works.

They don’t take construction materials, concrete sidewalks, dirt or gravel. It’s strictly for household items, such as appliances, tires, used oil, yard waste, aluminum, plastics and glass bottles.

The nearest landfill is 10 miles west of the transfer station, and Jaramillo said several county residents have confused it with a landfill. When they are presented with the $25 fee, they drive off and have dumped their load under the bridge about five miles out.

“The transfer station is paid for by village residents and that’s how we pay our tonnage,” Jaramillo said. “We don’t get any money from the general public, from Valencia County residents, and that’s why we would charge them.”

Outside village limits, people are charged a fee depending on the size of the load and if their recyclables are separated. A full-size pickup with a mixed load is $25 per truck, which is about 4 cubic yards. Larger loads incur higher fees.

“It’s not because we’re trying to make money,” Jaramillo said, “We have to pay to dump it in the landfill. We want to avoid that illegal dumping, so we try to work with people.”

If recyclables are separated, the $25 fee is discounted to $15.

Marcus Montoya, the solid waste and recycling supervisor, said the discount is provided if yard waste, green waste, metals, cardboard, aluminum, paper, plastics and glass bottles are separated.

There are free recycling bins at the transfer station so any resident can bring their recyclables. Commercial yard cleaning companies must use one of the landfills, not the transfer station, Jaramillo said.

Courtesy: https://wasteadvantagemag.com