Recycling Program

Solid Waste & Materials Management Plan

Posted On: June 3, 2024 - 9:30 a.m.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has awarded ADEQ funding under the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant program to update Arizona’s existing statewide Solid Waste Management Plan, with a new Integrated Solid Waste & Materials Management Plan (ISWMMP). Because Arizona’s solid waste landscape has undergone many changes since the original plan was written in 1981, ADEQ intends for this new plan to reflect updated objectives and strategies to move Arizona toward a more sustainable future supported by a circular economy.₁

Through the development of this plan and with key input from stakeholders across the state, ADEQ will identify ways to implement waste reduction and recycling strategies to align with the evolving landscape of solid waste management, which encompasses trash reduction, reuse, recycling and composting.

Public Involvement

Local business owners, tribal nations, cities, counties and residents with knowledge of the waste and recycling sector are encouraged to lend their voices to the development of a new and improved ISWMMP.

To ensure inclusivity and accessibility, the public engagement process will consist of multiple rounds of in-person and virtual meetings across the state with a commitment to hearing from every county, multiple sectors and engaged citizens.

ADEQ will host three rounds of in-person public meetings and three virtual (online) meetings. Each round will include an in-person meeting in Tucson, Phoenix, and Flagstaff, as well as one virtual (online) meeting. These meetings are planned for June and November of 2024, and April of 2025:

June 2024

These meetings invited participants to learn about and get involved in shaping the new ISWMMP, discuss strategies for reducing landfill waste, and share comments about specific local challenges for ADEQ to factor into the new statewide plan.

In addition to providing comments during the June meetings, ADEQ welcomes feedback and input about ISWMMP development through our online portal from June 18, 2024, to July 20, 2024 | Access Portal >

ADEQ will use this feedback to craft an initial ISWMMP, which will be shared with stakeholders for additional input during the second round of meetings in November.

November 2024

ADEQ will present the initial ISWMMP and seek additional stakeholder input, which will be factored into the development of the final ISWMMP to be shared in the last round of meetings in April (dates to be announced).

April 2025

ADEQ will present the final ISWMMP to stakeholders and showcase the tangible outcomes of the collaborative effort (dates to be announced).

Local Policies, Programs & Studies

Maricopa County Solid Waste Management Best Practices (2017) | View >
City of Tucson Zero Waste Roadmap (2023) | View >
Pima County Regional Solid Waste Management Plan (1981) | View >
City of Phoenix Waste Characterization Study (2015) | View >

¹ Circular economy is a system designed to eliminate waste by keeping products and materials in circulation through maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.

WPD | SWIFR