The New Mexico Environment Department today issued a request for proposals for circular economy projects while also releasing the state’s first Circular Economy Plan, a roadmap for reducing waste, strengthening in-state markets and infrastructure and keeping materials and economic value circulating in New Mexico.
Source: N.M. Environment Department
SANTA FE — New Mexico businesses, local governments, Tribal governments, schools and nonprofits can now apply for a share of $11.5 million in funding for projects that keep materials and resources in productive use through reuse, recycling and recovery.
The New Mexico Environment Department today issued a request for proposals for circular economy projects while also releasing the state’s first Circular Economy Plan, a roadmap for reducing waste, strengthening in-state markets and infrastructure and keeping materials and economic value circulating in New Mexico.
A circular economy keeps products and materials in use through practices such as maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling and composting. These efforts can reduce pollution and resource extraction, create jobs and strengthen local supply chains. Projects can include recovering critical minerals from e-waste, transforming discarded textiles into reusable products and composting food waste for agricultural use.
“The circular economy is getting an $11.5 million kickstart in New Mexico for projects that can include any and all ideas — from standing up critical mineral mining of e-waste to transforming textiles into durable goods to expanding commercial food waste composting,” said Environment Secretary James Kenney. “An $11.5 million investment, alongside our first-ever Circular Economy Plan, will build stronger and more sustainable local supply chains for the benefit of New Mexico communities by turning wastes into commodities.”
$11.5 million for circular economy projects
Through the competitive procurement process, NMED will support businesses, public entities and nonprofit organizations undertaking circular economy projects with measurable environmental and economic benefits for New Mexico.
Eligible projects must take a systems-based approach to reducing waste and keeping materials and resources in productive use for as long as possible. Projects may recover, reuse or redesign materials, products or processes in ways that preserve their value, reduce demand for new resources or prevent waste at the source.
The request for proposals includes two funding categories:
- $1.5 million for feasibility and assessment projects.
- $10 million for project implementation.
“Circular economy projects turn materials once treated as waste into new economic opportunities for businesses and communities,” said Economic Development Secretary Rob Black. “By investing in reuse, recovery and local processing, this new program helps New Mexico’s businesses reduce costs, strengthen domestic supply chains all while creating new markets for materials that might otherwise end up in a landfill.”
“New Mexico has an opportunity to grow our economy by getting more value out of the resources we already have,” said Rep. Meredith Dixon. “This investment will help New Mexico businesses turn materials that would otherwise go to waste into new products, creating new economic opportunities and stronger supply chains while making sure we are getting measurable results for every public dollar we invest.”
New Mexico Circular Economy Plan
The New Mexico Circular Economy Plan will guide NMED’s broader circular economy work, with a focus on reducing waste and illegal dumping, strengthening in-state markets and improving materials management. The plan also identifies actions for priority materials including scrap tires, batteries, household hazardous waste and organics.
“By adopting its first Circular Economy Plan, New Mexico has positioned itself as a national leader in advancing the circular economy,” said Heidi Sanborn, CEO of the Stewardship Action Foundation. “The Stewardship Action Foundation was honored to develop this flexible roadmap to achieving a Circular Economy in partnership with the New Mexico Environment Department.”
NMED is inviting New Mexicans, businesses, local governments, Tribal entities and other interested parties to provide feedback on the plan to help inform its implementation and future circular economy initiatives.
Feedback can be submitted via NMED’s SmartComment portal until 11:59 p.m. MDT on Sept. 14. To review NMED’s Circular Economy Plan, click here.
To support that work, NMED is also expanding its Resource Recovery Bureau and hiring new employees to build the Department’s capacity to advance the circular economy. The new positions will help implement the programs, investments and partnerships envisioned in the plan and will soon be posted on the New Mexico State Personnel Office website. NMED will also share the openings on its social media channels.
Details and deadlines
Proposals for the $11.5 million funding opportunity must be submitted electronically through NMED’s Bonfire Procurement Portal by 5 p.m. MDT on Monday, Sept. 7, 2026.
Key dates include:
- Friday, Aug. 21: Virtual pre-proposal conference.
- Monday, Aug. 24: Deadline to submit written questions.
- Friday, Aug. 28: NMED will post written responses to questions.
- Monday, Sept. 7: Proposals due by 5 p.m. MDT.
- Mid-October: NMED anticipates awarding contracts.
Details for the Aug. 21 virtual pre-proposal conference will be posted in the procurement library. Attendance is recommended but not required, and NMED will maintain a public log of participating organizations.
Potential respondents are encouraged to submit written questions to the procurement manager before the conference. The identity of organizations submitting questions will not be disclosed. Applicants may also submit written questions during the conference. Answers provided during the conference are unofficial until NMED posts them in writing in the procurement library.
View the RFP, No. 27-667-5189-00024, on NMED’s Bonfire Procurement Portal. Additional procurement documents, amendments and answers to questions will be posted on the portal.
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