Las Cruces area kids were able to see, touch, and even sit in the driver’s seat during the Third Annual “Touch-A-Truck” event held at Camino Real Middle School on Saturday, August 26. Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) participated, providing three different solid waste trucks to expose young people to the technology involved in managing solid waste and even planting seeds for possible future careers.
“Every week when we pass daycares and kindergartens, kids are lined up and pressed against the fences to try to see what we do,” said Scott Harris, LCU equipment operator senior.
At this event, Harris took the opportunity to show the youngsters all about his job. He also educated and taught awareness and how to stay safe.
Every week, LCU provides more than 32,000 residential customers and almost 2,700 businesses with reliable solid waste management. Over the course of a month, more than 6,000 tons of trash is removed and hauled to Corralitos Regional Landfill for final disposal.
At this once-a-year event, children saw trucks up close and in action. Adam Luna brought his 2-year-old son to see the trash trucks, noting, “My son waits every Tuesday to see the trash truck come down our street.”
LCU’s Green Grappler was there to teach about green waste (yard waste) recycling; a residential side loader showed how brown bins at home, full of bagged and tied trash, are picked up and emptied at the curb; and a commercial front loader demonstrated servicing big 6-cubic yard dumpsters full of garbage at businesses.
LCU equipment operator senior Marcelo Archuleta said, “At Touch-a-Truck we can take the time to show them what we do, teach safety, and give back to our community. It’s all good!”