Bag Central Station

City of Phoenix Public Works Department (April 2009 US EPA Honors)

The Phoenix Public Works Department has two innovative waste programs. One is mobile Household Hazardous Waste Collection. While other cities have a permanent facility, Phoenix brings collection events into neighborhoods. Each year, 10 three-day weekend events are held throughout the city to collect car batteries, paint, used oil and e-waste -- reducing the volume of pollutants that end up in the landfill. Most of the waste is shipped directly to recyclers and disposal facilities, reducing the need for hazardous waste storage. More than 10,000 households participate. In addition, the city’s plastic bag recycling program has sprouted hundreds of “Bag Central Station” receptacles throughout Phoenix since the kickoff last November. Early results from the city’s trash sorting facilities showed a 20 percent decrease in plastic bags.