Waste is a ResourceIs it waste or a resource? This page helps you assess the way you think about waste and gives you ideas for changing how you see items you may have previously thought of as waste.https://www.cabq.gov/sustainability/waste/waste-resourceshttps://www.cabq.gov/++resource++plone-logo.svgWaste is a ResourceIs it waste or a resource? This page helps you assess the way you think about waste and gives you ideas for changing how you see items you may have previously thought of as waste.https://www.cabq.gov/sustainability/waste/waste-resourceshttps://www.cabq.gov/sustainability/images/bsccccelebration.jpg
Waste is a Resource
Is it waste or a resource? This page helps you assess the way you think about waste and gives you ideas for changing how you see items you may have previously thought of as waste.
The vast majority of products contribute to the climate crisis in each stage of their life cycle, from production to disposal, through a linear path. By thinking of production systems like natural processes, which are more circular, and by valuing the direct and indirect impacts products have on communities and ecosystems, we can transform how we think of waste, reduces greenhouse gases and create environmental and social resilience.
Our Projects
The City has a variety of projects and services that support sustainability through material reuse, recycling, composting, or prevention.
New! Food Waste to Compost Hub
On April 7th, 2025, thanks to support from the Natural Resources Defense Council's (NRDC) Food Matters initiative, the City launched a pilot project to explore using a hub model to collect residential food waste for composting, instead of landfilling. For the first year, the City is piloting one site, McKinley Community Center, and will support up to 60 households. Invitations to participate went out to families that use the community center, the adjacent Palo Duro 50+ Sports & Fitness Center, and the nearby elementary and middle schools. The pilot is also open to residents who live within one mile of McKinley Community Center (3401 Monroe St. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110).
Coordinated by the Sustainability Office, Little Green Bucket will transport the compostable materials to a certified compost facility, where the materials are turned into finished compost. The Sustainability Office will work with McKinley Community Center staff and youth to divert materials from the community center and teach food waste prevention.
NRDC is also in the beginning stages of helping the Sustainability Office incorporate food waste prevention into the Food Scrap Pilot Project.
Coming soon! Food waste prevention and diversion pilot project for 60 households in central Albuquerque. This pilot is possible in part thanks to funding from NRDC.
Do you want to become a community compost co-op member? We are in the process of scheduling summer workshops. In the meantime, please email Sandra West ([email protected]).
Food Scrap Pilot Project
From July 2023 to June 2024, the City explored food scrap diversion at two different food preparation sites:
The City’s Senior Affairs CASA Kitchen, which prepares hundreds of meals each day
Explora’s new concessions, run by Three Sister’s Kitchen.
Coordinated by the Sustainability Office, local hauler Little Green Bucket transported the compostable materials to Soilutions, where the materials are turned into finished compost. Over the year, 7.5 tons of materials were diverted from the two sites. Diversion is still happening at Explora's concessions. When you visit Explora's concessions, use the sorting bins in the concessions seating area to divert your food waste and recyclables from the landfill.
FUSE Executive Fellowship Project: Design an Equity-Focused Citywide Composting Initiative
In 2024, City partnered with FUSE Corps to host a fellow, who worked with the City and community to design a citywide, equity focused composting initiative. The fellow held two listening tours, heard form 229 community members and stakeholders, and the feedback shaped the Food Waste to Compost Hub pilot project.
There are many easy and quick actions you can take to reduce food waste. Here are key tips and resources to get you started. Pick one and try it. Then choose another, and share your successes with your friends and family.
“Best if used by/before,” “Sell by,” and “Freeze by” labels are not expiration dates but rather suggestions for when a product will be best for flavor and quality.
Composting has many benefits. Diverting items to be composted instead of going to the landfill (1) reduces greenhouse gas emissions (2) and the finished compost helps build healthy local soils. Healthy soils can serve as a storage space for carbon dioxide, better absorb water during rainfall events, and help grow local food or shade trees. Learn more about why and how to compost:
There are a variety of ways to compost, and the designs and instructions can change based on climate. In our arid climate, the best way to learn is from those who also compost in arid climates. Here are some local resources to get you started:
This map is made possible thanks to information provide by each site. Please reach out to the site contact for further information. If something needs to be updated on this map, please email Sandra West ([email protected]).
Do you volunteer with or work for a community compost or garden site that is not on this map? Please help us improve this asset map by completing the site addition request form.
Here are few ideas help you think differently about items that are often wasted:
Repair items when possible, and buy items designed to be repaired.
Buy items that will last longer. This often saves money in the long-term.
Find creative uses for items that would otherwise be though of as trash. Recycle fashion shows are one way to think creatively about items.
Fully utilize the resources at hand. This can be applied to food preparation, toothpaste, sunscreen, etc. Also, if you have a fruit tree, ask volunteers to help you gather or use the fruit.
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