TAOS COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – After a three-year pause, Taos County has relaunched its recycling program. It'll offer northern New Mexico residents a local option for recycling while eliminating the need to travel to recycle. Edward Martinez, the county’s Solid Waste Director, spoke on the importance of the program’s return. "It's a big deal because so much waste going to the landfill, a lot of plastics, and a lot of aluminum, and cardboard, and a lot of stuff that could be recycled to bring in some revenue," he said. California-based energy company expands footprint in New Mexico The program was previously halted due to budget limitations, but with new state-funded bailers through RAID grants, it’s back on track. The bailers compact materials like cardboard into one-ton bales, producing 30 to 40 each month. Residents are encouraged to bring recyclables to any of the county’s eight transfer stations, where they sort the materials themselves to simplify the process. The county boasts a low contamination rate, which increases the value of recycled materials. "We do recycle aluminum, cardboard, you know, corrugated cardboard, tin, metal, tires, and one of my stations, we do brush,” Martinez explained. This effort not only brings in revenue but also extends the life of local landfills, reducing the need to send waste to other counties. The revived program is aimed at creating a sustainable recycling system that keeps materials out of landfills. "It’s just great, and I just want the people out there to recycle because, you know, it preserves the life of the landfill. You know, those landfills aren't cheap. They cost, you know, millions of dollars to get going," Martinez added. New Mexico friends celebrate 60 years of friendship at high school reunion The program’s success is largely thanks to RAID grants. The county received $78,000 for the first bailer in 2023 and an additional $101,000 for a second one this year.