Now that the College Football Playoff is over, Phoenix once again has shown that they can host large-scale events on a worldwide stage. But the question remains: Can Phoenix clean up after three days of highly produced concerts, various football activities for the family and hosting college football fans, who have a penchant for good food and drinks? The answer is a resounding “YES!” Together with the Arizona Organizing Committee, Phoenix announces that the city has achieved an 81.9 percent waste diversion rate during the three days of festivities in the downtown area leading up to the College Football Playoff (CFP). This achievement surpasses the city’s goal of a 75 percent waste diversion rate during the CFP events that took place at the Championship Campus in downtown Phoenix. “Such a phenomenal waste diversion rate shows that the City of Phoenix has a big-game mentality when it comes to hosting major events,” said Mayor Greg Stanton. It’s not just about throwing a great party, it’s about producing a sustainable event that encourages attendees to be thoughtful about recycling and composting options.”
Phoenix Public Works’ meticulous operational and staffing plans were responsible for the impressive 81.9 percent waste diversion rate. Public Works provided three separate solid waste bins for event attendees to sort out their recyclables, compostables and trash, as well as environmental specialists to assist attendees in sorting their waste. The materials were hauled to the city-owned 27th Avenue Transfer Station, where additional sorting and processing of materials occurred. In addition to working with the Arizona Organizing Committee, Public Works staff also partnered with contractors to ensure the seamless collection and sorting of the solid waste materials generated by the activities at the Championship Campus. Mixed recyclables made up nearly 60 percent of diverted materials from the landfill during the CFP events, with a total of 24,500 pounds. Mixed recyclables consist of glass and plastic bottles, paper products and hard plastic materials. However, the bulk of the mixed recyclables came from the props and decorations for the events, as well as construction supplies from the set-up and tear-down of the temporary infrastructures. Food scraps and other compostable materials made up about 13 percent of the diverted materials, with a total of 5,460 pounds. The compostable materials already are being processed in the city’s pilot composting facility and will be ready for use on city landscape and community gardening projects in a few months. Aluminum cans made up 6.3 percent or 2,640 pounds, while plastic film, used for packaging and collection, made up 3.7 percent of the diverted materials, with a total weight of 1,520 pounds. The most unusual item found while the materials were being sorted? A perfectly good pair of black Converse Chuck Taylor sneakers.
As Phoenix positions itself to be a prime location for nationally and internationally recognized events, setting a waste diversion goal for such events is one way to show its commitment to being one of the most sustainable cities, and the most environmentally responsible event host, in the nation. Last year, when Phoenix hosted the Verizon Super Bowl Central, the city achieved a 73 percent waste diversion rate. Fueled by the sustainability initiative, Reimagine Phoenix, the city has set a citywide waste diversion goal of 40 percent by 2020, which could be achieved through enhanced solid waste programs, education and outreach, and private-public partnerships.
For more information, visit www.phoenix.gov/publicworks.