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Bright Plans for new SCSWA facility in Hatch

Soon, residents in the Village of Hatch, and its surrounding communities, will have their very own transfer station where they can bring their recyclables for transport and their trash for proper disposal. The South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) has recently established a Memorandum of Understanding with Hatch that will get the ball rolling for a community asset to provide solid waste and recycling services that have never previously existed in the community 37 miles northwest of Las Cruces.

While the construction of the actual transfer station – similar to one that opened last year in Chaparral – may still take some time, SCSWA Director Patrick Peck is looking forward to working with Hatch to start community recycling and cleanup events.

“SCSWA is tailoring our services to their needs and is committed to making this work for the unique needs of the community,” Peck said. Some of these services include the start of a community-wide recycling program, which will focus on recycle-specific bins in schools, and community meetings to coordinate cleanup events.

Patrick Banegas, Municipal Clerk of the Village of Hatch, is excited for the collaboration between the Village and SCSWA.

“We do need this facility badly,” explained Banegas. “We see a lot of old, used tires because of the huge amount of produce transportation from the area. Many people and businesses store tires on their farms and that can lead to health issues with rainwater collecting in the tires and mosquitoes breeding. The services that SCSWA can offer, like the tire shredding, will help us enormously.”

“We want to keep our community clean,” Banegas continued. “Hatch is trying to spur economic development and unsightly trash doesn’t lend itself to attracting good business, so this is a big thing for us.”

While the population within the Village is only 1,648, surrounding communities include Garfield, Milagro, Placitas, Rincon, Rodey, and Salem. The next steps will include an agreement with Doña Ana County to craft a lease for a 10-acre parcel of land that the Village already owns.

“We’re going to see residents come on board pretty quick because everyone sees the need to do so, like when they see the illegal dumping that takes place along the river,” said Banegas. “If residents know there is a place to take their trash, they’ll use it.”

Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA) managing solid waste, recyclables, and working to stop illegal dumping for residents and businesses throughout Doña Ana County. Contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.