Los Alamos expands curbside bulk brush collection amid wildfire concerns; schedule released

Armando Gabaldon, Environmental Services Manager, announced Los Alamos County will expand curbside bulk brush collection as a temporary response to an unusually dry, warm winter and elevated wildfire risk, offering sign-up by phone at (505) 662-8163 or by email at solidwaste@losalamonm.gov. County communications put daily curbside capacity at about 10 to 15 bulk brush pickups depending on equipment and workforce, and residents must sign up and place brush at the curb on their scheduled collection day.

County materials contain two scheduling statements. A March 11 county announcement summarized via the Citizen Portal says an enhanced brush collection program will run from March 24 through May. A separate county news release reported via the Los Alamos Reporter lists expanded curbside bulk brush collection services being offered during the weeks of Feb. 23, Mar. 9, and Mar. 23. Both timelines also identify the week of Mar. 23 as the start for regular curbside brush cart collection; the county has not reconciled the differing windows in the notices.

Sign-up and drop-off options are both emphasized. Residents who prefer curbside must schedule a bulk pickup through Environmental Services; the Citizen Portal directs sign-up through the Eco Station and instructs residents to put brush out on their scheduled curbside collection day. Gabaldon told the Los Alamos Reporter, "Residents can also drop off yard waste at the Eco Station seven days a week, and at Overlook Convenience Center in White Rock Friday through Tuesday." Overlook carries a 3-cubic-yard load restriction for yard-waste drop-off.

Operational limits and logistics underlie the temporary expansion. County staff said they could serve roughly 10 to 15 curbside bulk brush pickups per day depending on equipment availability and workforce. Repairs are needed on the grinder and grapple to maintain capacity, and Environmental Services will reprioritize work during the campaign, meaning standard bulk pickups for furniture and appliances may be delayed. The county notes regular bulk service remains available year-round for a small charge.

The Eco Station is already seeing a growing mulch pile as intake increases, and county staff are seeking outlets or partners to take mulch as the program ramps up. The county also indicated curbside bulk brush pickups would be counted against residents' existing allotment of free Eco Station loads, and the Citizen Portal gave a possible conversion example of three free loads equaling one bulk brush collection, though that conversion is presented as illustrative and subject to final program rules.

To schedule a pickup or for questions about collection timing, allotments and drop-off options, the county lists Environmental Services contact information at (505) 662-8163 and solidwaste@losalamonm.gov and cites the Eco Station as a sign-up and drop-off point.