THE LOCAL ANSWERIn Gallup, New Mexico, call the McKinley County Transfer Station at 505-863-5776 before you bring paint, because the state's list and the station's operator disagree on whether household hazardous waste is taken. If you're sent to Cibola County, call that transfer station at 505-287-4150 first; it's in Bluewater, near Milan. During the city's cleanups, the city wants paint, thinners and strippers boxed, labeled and kept apart from other items.
This guide is for Gallup in McKinley County, New Mexico. NMED's 2025 county list names the McKinley County Transfer Station at 107 Hasler Valley Road, and says the Cibola County Transfer Station takes all household hazardous waste from Cibola and McKinley county residents. But the Northwest New Mexico Regional Solid Waste Authority, which runs both, says on its fee page that no hazardous waste is accepted. Call before you load paint. New Mexico has no PaintCare program.
The state list and the operator disagree
NMED's 2025 list puts the McKinley County Transfer Station under McKinley County, and notes that the Cibola County Transfer Station accepts all household hazardous waste from Cibola and McKinley residents. The authority's own fee page, for both transfer stations, says 'Absolutely no hazardous or pathogenic wastes accepted.' Ask the station directly: 505-863-5776.
Hasler Valley Road hours and fees
The transfer station at 107 Hasler Valley Road is open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Trash costs $53 a ton with an $8 minimum, or $58.30 a ton from outside Cibola and McKinley counties. Cardboard, mixed paper, office paper and e-waste drop-off is free. Loads must be covered and go over the scale for inspection.
Free dump coupons are for refuse
City customers in good standing get three free dumping coupons a year, each good for 300 lbs at the transfer station, from Customer Care at City Hall (110 West Aztec). The city's web page values them at $7; its February 14, 2025 letter says $8. The station still bans hazardous waste, so ask before bringing paint.
Cleanup rules for paint
Gallup's 2026 cleanup ran in eight areas from April 25 to August 29, 2026, for city residents only. The city says household hazardous waste, including paint, thinners and strippers, must be separated, boxed and labeled. The free Open Truck in May and October covers only yard waste and bagged refuse. Questions: 505-863-1212.
Cibola County Transfer Station details
The authority lists the Cibola County Transfer Station at 97 Post Office Flats Road, Bluewater; its permit notice puts it 3 miles north of Milan on Hwy 568, open Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. NMED lists it at 2305 West US Hwy 66, Milan. The notice lists non-hazardous waste and recyclables, including waste oil, but not paint.
