PHOENIX (October 15, 2020) – Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials will recognize the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside at this evening’s meeting of the Town Council by presenting a Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) Silver Level Award Certificate.

At a time when the recycling climate is challenging and many municipal recycling operations have been deferred or closed, the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside embarked on an ambitious and creative project to establish the Collection Center recycling program. 

Opened in summer 2019, the Center offers residents and seasonal visitors a clean, efficient, conveniently located facility where they can recycle and dispose of household waste in an economical and responsible way. The Collection Center accepts a wide variety of materials for recycling including certain plastics, metal, glass, paper, cardboard and green waste.

To receive VESP Silver Level recognition, organizations must have achieved a measurable environmental improvement and made a commitment to measuring continuous improvement. ADEQ is pleased to recognize the Town of Pinetop-Lakeside’s accomplishments:

In the first year, the Town was able to reduce, reuse, recycle and repurpose approximately 80 tons of plastic, metal, paper and glass. Over the next three years, the town is projecting an increase from 80 to 100 tons.

In the first year, the Town diverted approximately 240 cubic yards of green waste to the Novo BioPower facility for electricity generation. Over the next three years, the town is projecting an increase from 240 to 275 cubic yards.

For added measure, the Town used recycled asphalt material to build up the area around the Center’s collection bins.

“The Pinetop-Lakeside Town Council has demonstrated its commitment to making solid waste and recycling services a priority,” said Len Drago, ADEQ VESP Program Coordinator. “Those of us from ADEQ who have toured the facility appreciate the creativity, research and hard work that’s gone into providing recycling and waste disposal alternatives for residents and visitors. The Collection Center serves as a model recycling program for other Arizona communities.”

Learn more | ADEQ VESP >

VESP Silver Certificate | View Image >

Entrance to Collection Center | View Image >

Contact

ADEQ Public Information Officer | 602-540-8072 (cell) | E-mail >