Rather than dumping their garbage in their own containers, some people have severely littered the area behind Sabana Grande Recreation Center and the Department of Motor Vehicles.

The trash bin is for the Recreation Center and DMV’s use only. But, some people have decided to dump mattresses, boxes, cans, bottles and other household waste in the area. The garbage can become a haven for rodents and possibly snakes, creating a dangerous environment.

Adjacent to the trash bin are two large recycling bins, belonging to Keep Rio Rancho Beautiful. Waste Management services the bins. The bins have industry standard holes for people to put their recyclable goods into. The holes are roughly three-feet by three-feet.

Some residents have complained that the holes are too small and that is why there is so much garbage lying around the bins.

That, however, is not the reason.

KRRB specialist Jennifer Scacco says the holes are the size they are to prevent people from sullying the recyclable goods with household waste.

Waste that is accepted for recycling include aluminum, tin cans, plastics No.1-7, magazines, phone books, junk mail, office paper, brown paper bags, newspapers, flattened cardboard, paperboard and empty aerosol cans.

Rather than putting the recyclable items in the box correctly, some people have opted to be lazy and just throw their goods on the ground.

This creates extra work for an already strapped city staff and KRRB volunteers. They have to clean up the waste.

KRRB encourages people to recycle and accepts recyclable goods at the Sabana Grande location. The staff, however, asks that you drop it off when staff is present. The office is open from10 a.m. to noon on Saturdays.