Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Services for the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Station

To encourage proper handling and avoid unauthorized or improper disposal or management in a manner which creates a health or environmental hazard, the Agency considers household hazardous waste (HHW) collection a basic service that it provides for Santa Fe residents. On September 14, 2012, the Agency opened a permanent household hazardous waste (HHW) collection center at the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer Station (BuRRT) to efficiently manage the HHW generated by the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County residents. Since 2012, a Contractor has provided services for the HHW collection center operations. These services include materials receiving, waste identification, packing, storage, transportation, recycling, treatment, and disposal. The Agency operates the HHW collection center two days per week (Fridays and Saturdays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. The Agency may increase or decrease hours and days of operation in response to the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County residents' needs. In 2025, the Agency collected, packaged and shipped approximately 51.4 tons (102,800 pounds) of various types of materials to a Contractor for processing. A breakout of the typical types of materials handled is provided in the Price Proposal document. Collection Events Historically, the Agency has held between one large free HHW collection event to ten small events each year. In 2026 the Agency plans to hold two on-site collection days for residents, one in the spring and one in the fall. Very Small Quantity Generator Waste Services Besides HHW collected at the HHW collection center, the Agency may also provide services for the very small quantity generators (VSQGs). The Agency is responsible for establishing an appointment system for VSQGs, coordinating review of waste profile sheets, receiving waste from VSQGs, recording and packing all VSQG waste, and scheduling the pickup the waste by the Contractor. The Contractor is responsible for reviewing the waste profile sheets and packaging requirements for unknown or unusual wastes and transporting the VSQG waste to a treatment, storage, or disposal facility. Current Operation At the HHW collection center, the Agency utilizes HHW handlers to receive, package, and store waste. The Contractor provides support services related to operating the HHW collection center and assists in training Agency staff, as needed. At least one Agency HHW handler is present during the hours the HHW collection center is in operation. The HHW Handler's responsibilities include receiving HHW and VSQG material, rejecting unacceptable material, inspecting containers, examining labels, segregating waste by type, bulking, packing, monitoring waste accumulation for transport, requesting pickup of waste, and assisting with loading for transport. The Agency stores material within the HHW collection center building in designated areas with required containment. The Agency has limited storage capacity. The Agency accumulates loads of containerized and palletized material and sets up shipments with the Contractor every 4 to 8 weeks. A full load is considered to be enough pallets to constitute a full 20-foot box truck, which equates to about twelve (12) pallets or more on the floor of the trailer. The Agency double-stacks boxed materials to maximize payloads when possible.