Albuquerque officials are warning that tossing used fireworks in the trash could turn Fourth of July celebrations into a disaster for waste workers, neighborhoods and the trucks they rely on. They’re urging residents to dispose of fireworks safely to prevent trash truck and landfill fires.
With Independence Day tomorrow, the Solid Waste Management Department is reminding Burqueños to make sure fireworks are fully put out and tossed carefully. Improper disposal is a leading cause of garbage truck fires nationwide.
“We want everyone to have a safe and fun Fourth of July filled with celebration,” Mayor Tim Keller said. “By taking a few simple steps to throw away fireworks safely, we can protect our workers and neighborhoods, and keep the holiday spirit burning bright — in the sky, not in our trash trucks.”
North America sees more than 1,500 fires a year at waste and recycling facilities, and about 35% of those involve collection trucks, according to the Solid Waste Association of North America.
That adds up to around 525 truck fires annually. Officials say fireworks tossed out the wrong way are often to blame. Even if they don’t catch fire in the truck, smoldering fireworks can ignite later at the landfill, where thousands of fires happen each year.
“Independence Day and the following week is the most dangerous time for our department,” said Solid Waste Management Director Billy Gallegos. “Truck fires and landfill fires are extremely serious because of how quickly they can get out of control, so we ask everyone to enjoy the holiday safely and responsibly to protect themselves and our hardworking employees.”
How to Safely Dispose of Fireworks
The city is asking residents to follow a few simple steps after the show to safely get rid of fireworks and help protect homes, neighbors and waste crews:
- Cool: Let used fireworks cool completely.
- Soak: Submerge them in a bucket of water overnight to make sure they’re fully out.
- Double-bag: Seal the soaked fireworks in two plastic bags to keep them from drying out.
- Toss: Place them in your regular trash cart—never in the recycling.
How to Safely Dispose of Sparklers
According to utahsparklers.com, here’s how to toss sparklers the right way:
- Extinguish: Place used sparklers in a bucket of water or sand for at least 30 minutes to cool completely.
- Wrap: Once cool, wrap them in aluminum foil and seal in a plastic bag.
- Toss: Put the wrapped sparklers in your regular trash bin.
Contact Information
For general questions, call the Solid Waste Management Department front desk at (505) 761-8350 or dial 311 (505) 768-2000.
Residents of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County can drop off residential hazardous waste for free at the Household Hazardous Waste Collection Center (HHWCC), operated by Safety-Kleen.
The HHWCC is located at 2720 Girard NE and is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (505) 884-2277 for more information.
The city’s convenience centers, Eagle Rock Transfer Station at 6301 Eagle Rock Ave NE and Cerro Colorado Landfill at 18000 Cerro Colorado SW, will maintain regular hours on July 4.
