Santa Fe County is thrilled to partner with The RainCatcher, Inc. and the Santa Fe Extension Master Gardeners to host a special Earth Day event on April 22, 2023 from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at the Santa Fe County Fairgrounds!

Help us put the finishing touches on a new rain garden, enjoy live music, learn about local sustainability initiatives, and get answers to your spring gardening questions from Master Gardeners!

Schedule of events (subject to change):

• 9:00 - 9:30 AM: Breakfast snacks & refreshments
• 9:30 - 10:20 AM: Presentations from The RainCatcher, Inc. & Santa Fe Master Gardeners
• 10:20 AM - 12:00 PM: Hands-on gardening activities & live music

Representatives from Santa Fe County and community organizations will be sharing resources and activities at booths throughout the event from 9:00-12:00 p.m.

Please bring a reusable water bottle or mug if you have one. You are encouraged to bring work gloves and wear long pants and closed-toed shoes if you will be participating in any gardening activities. Participants in the gardening activities will be required to sign a waiver.

Registration is encouraged. Click here for more information.

We hope you will join us for a fun morning of learning and gardening!

Last month the Board of County Commissioners passed two resolutions to help keep our community clean!

The Board passed Resolution 2023-033 renewing its support for the Adopt-a-Road Program. Through this program, individuals, community organizations, and local businesses volunteer to “adopt” a stretch of County road. The adopters commit to picking up litter along their road at least twice per year. The County provides clean-up supplies and, if requested, will also place signage along the stretch of road to recognize the adopter. Click here to learn more!

The Board also passed Resolution 2023-034, which authorizes several free residential solid waste and green waste disposal days at County solid waste convenience centers for residents with a valid solid waste permit. These events will help reduce fire risk by encouraging disposal of green waste at convenience centers, rather than through burning, and will also support community clean ups.

Below are the solid waste disposal events authorized under Resolution 2023-034 and Resolution 2022-105:

• Free Residential Solid Waste Drop Off for Permit Holders
  • April 15, 2023: In honor of the Great American Clean Up event, the County is providing free residential solid waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at all six County convenience centers
  • September 16, 2023: Free residential solid waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at all six County convenience centers

• Free Tire Recycling for Permit Holders
  • April 15, 2023: Free passenger vehicle tire recycling for up to 8 tires without rims at all six County convenience centers for solid waste permit holders

• Free Green Waste Drop Off for Permit Holders
  • June 30 and July 1, 2023: Free green waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at the Stanley solid waste convenience center
  • July 1 and 2, 2023: Free green waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at the Jacona and Eldorado solid waste convenience centers
  • August 4 and 5, 2023: Free green waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at the Stanley solid waste convenience center
  • August 5 and 6, 2023: Free green waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at the Jacona and Eldorado convenience centers
  • September 1 and 2, 2023: Free green waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at the Stanley solid waste convenience center
  • September 2 and 3, 2023: Free green waste disposal for solid waste permit holders at the Jacona and Eldorado solid waste convenience centers

In addition to the above free days, the Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency offers free drop off events for tires, trash, green waste, electronic waste, and household hazardous waste throughout the year. Click here for the calendar.

Looking to freshen up your home this spring? Keep these sustainable cleaning tips in mind!

• Donate, don’t discard. Keep items out of the landfill by donating your gently used clothing, furniture, books, and home goods. There are a number of organizations in Santa Fe that accept donated items, including Goodwill and Salvation Army, which accept gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, books, and home goods. The Habitat Humanity ReStore accepts a variety of home goods, including working appliances, cabinets, furniture, certain electronics, and construction materials. Resourceful Santa Fe, a creative reuse center, accepts art supplies and unique items that can be repurposed. Always review donation guidelines before dropping off items.
• Skip the paper towels. Swap out your roll of paper towels for a stack of reusable cleaning rags. You can purchase cleaning rags new or make your own out of old bath and kitchen towels.
• Properly dispose of household hazardous waste. Household hazardous waste, such as paints, solvents, motor oil, antifreeze, and cleaners, can pollute the environment if disposed of improperly. Residents can dispose of household hazardous waste for a fee on Fridays and Saturdays between 8:00 AM - 4:45 PM at the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Station (BuRRT), which is operated by the Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency. BuRRT will be accepting household hazardous waste for free during a special event on November 4^th from 9:00 AM- 1:00 PM.
• Recycle right. It is free to drop off household recycling, like plastic bottles, cardboard, glass, and aluminum at County convenience centers. Permit fees apply to recycle scrap metal and tires. Click here for guidelines. Household recycling, scrap metal, and tires are also accepted at BuRRT along with electronic waste (fees apply to certain materials). BuRRT will be hosting a special free e-waste disposal day on October 7^th from 9:00 AM-1:00 PM and offers free tire recycling the first full weekend of every month (limitations apply). 

Thank you for going green this spring!