Something as simple as a free cup of coffee could improve participation in recycling efforts.

At least that is the hope of the New Mexico Recycling Coalition, which has targeted Santa Fe for a public-awareness drive. In conjunction with the city and county, the coalition is giving away 150 prizes this month to people who "get caught" recycling through curbside or drop-off programs.

Bonuses for winners include gift certificates at Ohori's Coffee, Big O Tires, Ten Thousand Waves and other area businesses.

"A little bit of incentive such as 'Oh I can win something,' has been shown to be very successful in increasing recycling rates," said Sarah Pierpont, coalition deputy director. "It's a way to get people to be willing to make that small extra effort."

When the coalition did the same thing in Albuquerque last November for Recycling Awareness Month, recycling collections increased by 20 percent the following month, she said.

Two winners per week will be selected from the city's curbside program, and a business will get a prize every other day. Prizes will also be awarded randomly at the Buckman Road Recycling and Transfer station, at seven county transfer stations and in areas where Waste Management company serves customers.

For more information, log on to www.nmrecycle.org.



The Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival is celebrating its 10th year next weekend with activities aimed at combining recycling and creativity to save resources.

Recycled-materials artists are invited to submit an application to participate in an art market and a juried art exhibit. More than 50 artists who use a minimum of 75 percent recycled materials will display and sell work during the market.

The popular Trash Fashion and Costume Contest starts at 7 p.m. Friday. Deadline for both the fashion show and the juried art exhibit is Wednesday. For more information or to download an application, log on to www.recyclesantafe.org.

The festival is at El Museo Cultural in the Santa Fe Railyard from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 Friday and free Saturday and Sunday.



ALL AREA RESIDENTS

Recycling drop-off at the Buckman Road Recycling Center and Transfer Station is free. Open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week. For information about items accepted, call the Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency at 424-1850 or go to www.sfswma.org.

SANTA FE COUNTY

Recycling drop-off at seven transfer stations in Santa Fe County costs $15 for an unlimited annual permit or comes free with purchase of a solid waste permit.

Winter hours and locations:

• Eldorado, U.S. 84/285, 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
• Jacona, N.M. 502, 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Monday.
•La Cienega, County Road 54B, 8 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday.
• Nambé, N.M. 503, 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Friday through Tuesday.
• San Marcos, County Road 42, 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday.
• Stanley, County Road 17A, 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday through Wednesday.
• Tesuque, N.M. 592, 7 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. Thursday through Monday.
• Rancho Viejo, at the corner of A Van Nu Po and Avenida del Sur, recycling only, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
All locations are closed on holidays. For more information about county recycling, call 992-3010, or log on to www.co.santa-fe.nm.us/residents/solidwaste.php

CITY OF SANTA FE

Recycling bins for weekly curbside pickup are available at the city Public Works offices, 1142 Siler Road. Bring a copy of your trash bill. To find out your trash and recycling day, call 955-2200. You may use your own bin, but the city does not accept responsibility for it.

For more information, go to www.santafenm.gov. Click on "City Services" and select "Recycle and Waste."