Firms Partner to Aid Phoenix in Waste Diversion Goal of 40 Percent by 2020

Two companies are partnering to help develop the city of Phoenix’s goal to divert 40 percent of its waste from landfills by 2020.

Scottsdale, Ariz.-based Earth911 Inc., which aids organizations through recycling information, and San Francisco-based Citizen Group, a branding and advertising agency, will help develop a strategy for the city to achieve Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton’s goal, which is known as the 40 by 20 initiative. The city is overhauling its current solid waste management programs to increase efficiency, lower costs, boost convenience and motivate the public to take an active role in landfill diversion, according to a news release.

The city, with nearly 400,000 customers, and its Public Works Department devised specific goals including environmental stewardship that encompasses lowering the amount of waste sent to landfills, outreach to city residents, new green initiatives at city facilities and imaginative reuse of closed landfills for projects such as city parks. Other goals include reworking how the city handles waste, including diversion of organic waste to composting, improving collection services, and reducing illegal dumping and mishandling of household hazardous waste.

Under the agreement, Earth911 Inc. and Citizen Group will develop a plan for communication and public education to accomplish the outreach portion of the initiative. The companies will evaluate the best practices of model cities to develop a solution for the city.

“With this initiative, Phoenix has an opportunity to lead comparable cities in innovative waste collection, management and consumer education practices," said Corey Lambrecht, Earth911 president and chief operating officer.