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Las Cruces Employee Marks 40 Years Of Service

During his 4-decade career, South Central Solid Waste Authority’s (SCSWA) Oscar Barrientos has seen big changes in solid waste management. Even before the SCSWA existed, Barrientos was involved in trash management for Las Cruces and Doña Ana County. And it all started with his first application being torn up.

Barrientos came in to apply as a truck driver, but the then-County Manager suggested he become a heavy equipment operator instead. It paid better. “I had the skills, but didn’t think I would get it,” said Barrientos. He laughed, “But the County Manager tore up my filled-out application and made me write a new one.”

It was a good decision for Doña Ana County. First, Barrientos spent 8 years with what was called Environmental Services. Back then, solid waste management was in its infancy: “We put our trash in trenches, or even burned it,” he said. “But when the regulations came to New Mexico in the late 1980s, we got clean.”

That’s when “dumps” became “landfills” – designed, engineered and managed to truly protect our environment from the multitude of potentially dangerous toxins we all throw away. Barrientos spent 18 years with the County, as a foreman. Since 1996, he’s watched the creation of SCSWA and the City and County merging solid waste operations. Today, Barrientos is Deputy Director of Operations at the SCSWA.

There have been so many changes, but next month will be a new one for him. On the last day of 2019, after 40 years of work in the solid waste industry, Barrientos will be retiring. “I still like going to work every day,” he said. “I’ve been happy to see the growth, the evolution. We used to be just four guys and now we have over 70 people working together. It’s been an honor to be a part of the group.”

Patrick Peck, SCSWA director, is equally struck by such a shift change at the transfer station on Amador Avenue. “There’s so much history and achievement with the work Oscar has done for SCSWA,” he said. “We will miss his experience and everything he brings to the job – especially with how he’s shared with those coming up in the ranks. He’s shown a couple of generations of workers that a long-term career, contributing to the well-being of a city and county, is not only possible, but still very much needed in this day and age.”

Now, Barrientos plans to take his leave to dig smaller types of holes, like ones in frozen ponds (for ice fishing), and to head out to see the sights of Boston and Philadelphia with his wife. The SCSWA staff wishes him well on his journey and thanks him for a lifetime keeping the City of Las Cruces and County of Doña Ana clean and safe.

Green Connections is submitted by the South Central Solid Waste Authority (SCSWA). If you have questions about trash and recycling, contact the SCSWA at (575) 528-3800 or visit www.SCSWA.net.