Solid Waste Program
About Solid Waste
The solid waste program promotes practices that improve public health and protect Santa Ana Pueblo air, land, and water; including providing recycling and trash services at two transfer stations. The program collaborates with the Restoration Division and Wellness Program on composting and recycling education.
The Transfer Station
The Pueblo of Santa Ana Transfer Station was once an illegal dumpsite but has been converted to a carefully managed waste collection facility.
Hours of Operation: 24/7
Operator Available: Mon-Fri; 8:00A.M.- 4:30P.M.
Available to: Tribal Members only
Location: 1/3 mile west on Ranchitos Rd
What can be Recycled at the Transfer Station?
Cardboard and Paper:
- Clean cardboard
- Newspaper
- Office Paper
- Magazines
Plastic:
- Plastic bottles and containers 1-7 with the exception of foam/ polystyrene materials and plastic bags/films.
Construction Materials:
- Concrete
- Lumber
- Drywall
- Bricks
Aluminum:
- Beverage cans
Scrap Metal:
- Iron
- Steel
- Tin
Hazardous Waste:
- Hazardous household waste (glue, pesticides, paint, drain cleaners, grease, and rust removers)
- Motor oil
- Antifreeze
- Lead-acid car batteries
- Paint and solvents
- Rechargeable batteries
Green Waste:
- Bush and branches
- Weeds
- Leaves
- Tree Stumps
Tires:
- Car, bicycle, and other rubber tires
Ashes:
- Ashes from fireplaces, and bonfires
Broken appliances:
- Metal and electronic components of any appliance
What can be Recycled, but not at the Transfer Station?
–Glass bottles and jars
-Plastic bags and films (can be recycled outside of some grocery stores)
-Alkaline batteries (Contact DNR; or take to Batteries Plus)
What is difficult or impossible to recycle?
Cardboard and Paper:
- Cardboard or Paper that is dirty (greasy pizza boxes, paper plates, paper that has been glued or painted on)
- Paper towels, and napkins
- Paper with waxy coating
- Receipt paper
Plastic:
- Styrofoam
- Plastic straws
- Disposable Diapers
- Packing peanuts
- Plastic Utensils
Glass:
- Windows/ Mirrors
- Ceramics
- Pottery/ Dishes
- Broken Glass
Aluminum laminated packaging (Plastic and aluminum layered together):
- Toothpaste tubes
- Certain food packaging (Chip bags, juice pouches, candy wrappers)
Miscellaneous:
- Mattresses
- Medical Waste
Tips to Reduce Waste
Reduce waste from disposable packaging: A large portion of the garbage that we generate from day to day comes from disposable packaging and can be reduced in a variety of ways, like using a reusable water bottle, shipping items to your home in moderation, and recycling any packaging that you can.
Cut back on food waste: Plan ahead and make a shopping list of what you’ll need from the grocery store so that you don’t buy food that goes to waste. When there are leftovers, be sure to store them properly so that they are still good to eat in the days to come. Also, consider starting a compost pile/bin for vegetable and fruit scraps.
Try to repair before you replace: Some of the biggest items that are thrown out are tools and appliances with many parts and components, you might be able save money and waste by replacing a single part rather than the entire unit. There are ample resources on the web to fix nearly everything in your home, just be sure to leave certain tasks like electrical wiring to professionals for your own safety.
Additional Resources and Articles
Contact the SADNR Environmental Division
Questions or ideas about waste management at the Pueblo of Santa Ana? Please reach out, we work for you!
Lisa Hopinkah – Environmental Division Manager, lisa.hopinkah@santaana-nsn.gov
Stephen Sanders – Environmental Program Specialist, Stephen.sanders@santaana-nsn.gov
Victor Sanchez – Transfer Station Operator, Victor.sanchez@santaana-nsn.gov