Earth Day 2021
As last year's somber Earth Day 2020 retreats further into the past, Scottsdale has many reasons to celebrate this week's 51st anniversary of Earth Day. Green initiatives continue to deliver impressive financial and environmental wins and many new proposals are taking shape. A few highlights below.
Green Success Snapshot
1. $13 Million for Preservation: Scottsdale's finance department tapped into record low interest rates freeing up an estimated $13.2 million dollars that will fund McDowell Sonoran Preserve land acquisition.
2. Scottsdale Water was awarded a $1.5 million grant to fund the City's long-term water supply sustainability program.
3. Grants will bring "Made in America" electric street sweepers to Scottsdale.
4. Scottsdale's Aviation Business Center earns LEED* Gold Certification.
5. Scottsdale received a Tree City USA designation for the 39th year.
* LEED: Leadership in energy and environmental design.
Waste Not: Green Goals that Feed People
Scottsdale's draft General Plan 2035 places emphasis on sustainability goals such as preservation, clean air, and the efficient use of resources to save tax dollars and the planet.
In this newsletter, I want to talk trash. Landfills, often in beautiful canyons, are a toxic mix of garbage. Something I witnessed first hand during my professional landfill years. Thankfully, society is recognizing there is value in our discarded 'stuff'. Which is good news for wildlife and our pocketbooks. The City of Scottsdale is targeting a zero waste future and I am enthusiastic about the possibilities.
Organics make up much of the waste stream. This year, Scottsdale set up a horse manure composting site and is expanding the City's transfer station to include yard waste recycling; a service that will save landscapers time and money, reduce illegal dumping, and generate revenue. And, a pilot residential food compost service is expected.
But let's back up..... shouldn't food be eaten, not composted? Scottsdale's non-profit partner, Waste Not, is founded in this belief.
Every day, Waste Not rescues perishable food from more than 70 generous local food businesses including grocery stores, resorts, caterers, and restaurants. The food is delivered, same day, to a network of 85+ nonprofits.
Waste Not has smaller food businesses with periodic donations covered via their MealConnect food app. The donation is posted on the app and a trained volunteer picks up and delivers the food the same day.
In 2020, Waste Not rescued 1427 tons of food. Their mission advances City of Scottsdale priorities by feeding those in need, reducing landfill waste and the City's carbon footprint. City staff will be teaming up with Waste Not to expand their reach to feed more people and advance our zero waste goal.
Read more about Waste Not's impact here.
In The News
Green Tips Data Doctors collects e-waste for recycling from TVs, computers, to cables. Plastic bags should be recycled at the grocery store but never placed in recycle bins. And flushable wipes are not flushable and damage City equipment.
Fun Fifth Avenue Find: Yogavated's beautiful yoga pants are made from plastic waste right here in AZ. Fabric scraps are then used to make headbands and headband proceeds fund tree plantings in Madagascar's rainforests. Yogavated's very cool boutique is located in Scottsdale's downtown district. (Photo: Bethany Whitehead)