Bernalillo County Planning and Development Services has secured a $100,000 Recycling and Illegal Dumping (RAID) grant from the New Mexico Environment Department to advance ongoing efforts that address improper tire disposal and prohibited use of single-use plastic bags and single use polystyrene containers at retail establishments with a prevention and education outreach campaign.
With the support of the grant, Bernalillo County will expand its outreach to residents and retailers through community events and a broad public‑information campaign in an effort to curb illegal tire dumping and misuse of materials. The outreach will help the public understand existing programs, safe disposal methods, and the environmental impacts caused when tires and single‑use plastic carryout bags and polystyrene food‑service containers are discarded improperly.
Tire Amnesty Day events are among the community outreach programs that have proven effective in reducing scrap‑tire accumulation. They are held throughout the year at various locations across the county, offering Bernalillo County residents the opportunity to drop off up to nine passenger car or truck tires per vehicle at no cost.
Retailers in the county’s unincorporated areas are reminded that single‑use plastic carryout bags and single‑use polystyrene food‑service containers may not be provided at checkout per the Single‑Use Plastic Bag and Polystyrene Container Ordinance (2019‑15). Instead, businesses can offer reusable bags or containers, recyclable paper bags and containers, compostable options, and cardboard boxes, and residents are also encouraged to make use of these reusable or recyclable alternatives.