5/07 - Recycling Changes Everything

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Councilman Greg Stanton
Ahwatukee Foothills News Column

May 2007

Recycling Changes Everything

As Phoenix grows and the demand on our resources intensifies, creating a strong and sustainable community is increasingly important. Collectively and individually, we can improve the quality of life for our generation and those to come in the future, by the decisions we make every day. The city began a recycling program in a limited part of Phoenix in 1989 and in 1991, it was implemented citywide. Recycling has strengthened our environment and our economy. This month the city is launching a new recycling program called “Recycling Changes Everything.” The goal of the program is to provide information about the importance of recycling and the products that can be recycled.

You’ll soon be receiving a new recycling awareness magnet in the mail. The magnet will feature color photos of various paper, glass, plastic and metal products. This magnet has images to better explain to residents what can be recycled. The new magnet also will describe items that cannot be recycled and will list city contacts.

There are common misunderstandings about recycling that people make everyday. For instance, pizza boxes are made out of reusable paper, right? This is true, but any portion of the box that is greasy is no longer recyclable. A suggestion is to cut off the top of the box and to recycle and discard the greasy bottom. Another good rule of thumb is that if it holds frozen food it probably can’t be recycled. Most cartons that hold frozen foods are not recyclable because of the impermeable inner paper. Not all paper is broken down easily and therefore cannot be reused. Any products you are recycling should be empty because contamination in blue containers leads to higher processing costs and lower end market revenues.

Public Works collects approximately 700,000 tons of residential solid waste, recyclables and bulk trash annually from 375,000 households. The Phoenix recycling collection system yields an average of 125,000 tons annually. There are 335,000 households that participate in the Phoenix Recycles Program. Since 1989 when the program began, Phoenix has processed over 1.3 million tons of recyclable materials.

Recycling can be confusing and to cater to all community questions, Public Works is revamping its web site to make it more user-friendly. You can get the do’s and don’ts of recycling, recycling statistics and eventually video for educational purposes at phoenix.gov/publicworks.

With the city now promoting various programs to support sustainability, this new recycling campaign is a way to reconnect with residents and highlight how your recycling efforts can help preserve our environment. When you receive your magnet in the mail, put it on your fridge and use it as reminder to always recycle and to recycle wisely. Together we can make a difference: one pizza box at a time.

Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton represents Ahwatukee Foothills and chairs the City Council Knowledge Workforce Subcommittee. Contact Councilman Stanton's office at 602-262-7491, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/district6 .

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