Recycling Centers in Las Vegas, NM
Find drop-off recycling locations in Las Vegas, New Mexico. View hours, addresses, and phone numbers for each facility.
If you live in Las Vegas and need a convenient place to recycle, this directory helps you find local recycling centers. These centers accept standard materials like paper, cardboard, plastics, glass, and aluminum, as well as specialty items depending on the facility. Browse the listings below to find contact information and hours for each location.
Recycling in Las Vegas: A Local Guide
Las Vegas, New Mexico (San Miguel County — not Nevada) has one active public recycling facility in this directory: the NMHU Recycling Center, a free, staffed drop-off open to the entire community near 9th Street and Raynolds Avenue, adjacent to the Gallinas River Walk on the New Mexico Highlands University campus.
The NMHU Recycling Center was built by the university in 2010 and opened to the public — no NMHU affiliation is required. Open Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:30 PM, it accepts cardboard, aluminum cans, tin food cans, scrap metal, insulated #2 copper and brass, clean plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE, resumed in 2023), and small electrical appliances — all free of charge. Materials explicitly not accepted include newspapers, paper, shredded paper, televisions, mattresses, tires, Styrofoam, motor oil, paint, and biohazards such as sharps. Plastic acceptance depends on vendor availability, so call 505-426-7788 before your visit to confirm current materials. Recyclables cannot be left at the gate after hours; the site is monitored by security cameras.
For additional recycling options in San Miguel County or statewide, the New Mexico Recycling Coalition's "Know What to Throw" locator at recyclenewmexico.com lists drop-off options by material.
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Frequently Asked Questions — Recycling in Las Vegas
Is the NMHU Recycling Center open to the general public, or only university students?
It is open to everyone in the Las Vegas, NM community. New Mexico Highlands University built and operates the center as a free public resource — no NMHU student or staff affiliation is required. Drop off Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM–3:30 PM.
Does the NMHU center currently accept plastics?
As of a 2023 Las Vegas Optic report, the center resumed accepting clean plastics #1 (PET) and #2 (HDPE). Acceptance has been suspended in the past when commodity vendors were unavailable, so call 505-426-7788 before your visit to confirm current status.
What materials are NOT accepted at the NMHU Recycling Center?
The center explicitly does not accept newspapers, paper, shredded paper, televisions, mattresses, tires, Styrofoam, motor oil, paint, or biohazards such as diabetic needles and sharps. Do not leave materials at the gate after hours — the site is monitored by security cameras.
Is there a charge to use the NMHU Recycling Center?
No. The NMHU Recycling Center is a free service to the community. No fees for any accepted material appear in any official source. Drop off during staffed hours only: Monday–Friday 8:00 AM–3:30 PM.