Tempe is committed to managing waste responsibly and works closely with its partners to ensure the material is diverted from the landfill and recycled or reused. Saturday, April 15th is Zero Waste Day in Tempe, from 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Tempe Fire Training Facility, 1340 E. University Drive, directly north of the Household Products Collection Center. Here is an overview of what we take on Zero Waste Day and where it all goes.
Food donations
Non-perishable, unopened items including peanut butter, canned meats and soups, dried and canned beans, 100% fruit juices, boxed meals, canned vegetables and fruit, granola bars, whole wheat pasta, multigrain cereals, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese
The Tempe Community Action Agency, a local nonprofit that works to alleviate homelessness, hunger and poverty and houses Tempe’s largest food pantry, will be onsite collecting the food items listed above.
Plastic bags and wrap
Grocery bags, newspaper bags, Ziploc®-type bags, cereal box liners, air pillows, bubble wrap and wrap from bathroom tissue, paper towels, cases of beverages and other products. Bags must be completely empty and dry.
Recycled by Trex in Nevada and turned into decking, bird houses, benches and other products.
Paper for shredding
Office paper, mail, other personal paper documents, magazines, books in poor condition
Documents are securely shredded and recycled by ASDD Document Destruction, a branch of the Tempe nonprofit, the Centers for Habilitation, which provides support and opportunities for people with physical and developmental disabilities.
Styrofoam
We will take styrofoam (packaging blocks, materials and peanuts only (no water soluable). Unable to take egg cartons, cups, plates or trays.
Building materials
Must be in good condition with no major repairs required. Kitchen and bath cabinets, doors, windows, shutters, toilets, sinks, vanities, garbage disposals, counter tops, bricks, block, lumber (no nails/screws), grills, fountains, pool equipment, light fixtures, hardware items (hinges, lock sets, miscellaneous) and unpainted, undamaged drywall in at least 2’ by 2’ strips.
Recycled and reused by Stardust Building Supplies, a nonprofit organization that operates three Valley thrift stores which sell salvaged and gently-used building materials.
Tires
Automobile tires are accepted. No bicycle or truck tires.
Tires are taken to the Southeast Waste Tire Collection Site run by the Maricopa County Waste Resources & Recycling Department and recycled into many items including crumb rubber, which is used in asphalt.
Clothing, furniture and household items
Items should be in good condition. Clothing, shoes, purses, belts, bedding, towels, toys, stuffed animals, books, cooking accessories, furniture, home décor, housewares, jewelry, tools, musical instruments, sports equipment.
Sold for reuse and recycled by Goodwill of Central Arizona which diverted over 100 million pounds of material from the landfill through reuse and recycling in 2015.
Household hazardous waste
Pool chemicals, toilet bowl cleaner, drain cleaner, ammonia cleaner, spot cleaner, oven cleaner, copper cleaner, lye, insecticides, herbicides, latex paint, oil based paints and stains, acetone (nail polish remover), paint thinners, glue, automotive oil, antifreeze, battery acid, brake fluid, power steering fluid,transmission fluid, liquefied petroleum gas cylinders, gasoline, lighter fluid, lubricants (WD-40), aerosol cans, soaps, waxes, perfume, adhesives,CFL bulbs, batteries, over-the-counter medication
Eighty-six to ninety-three percent of the hazardous materials collected are reused or recycled locally, regionally or nationally. Some products are redistributed to Tempe residents for free at the Household Products Collection Center.
Electronics, computer equipment and appliances
Working or non-working items accepted. PCs, laptops, monitors, power cords, printers, cabling, mice, keyboards, hard drives, tablets, cell phones,CDs, DVDs, printer cartridges, calculators, stereos, VCRs, TVs, power strips, microwaves, washers/dryers, refrigerators, freezers. Lawn mowersand other gas-powered items are okay as long as gas is removed.
All items are recycled by R3E Waste LLC, which has been recycling e-waste in the Valley since 2002.
Scrap metal
Copper wire and tubing, steel, aluminum, cast aluminum, brass, brass shells, wire scrap
SA Recycling in Phoenix currently recycles all scrap metal for the City of Tempe.
Bikes, repair stands and bike parts
Second-hand bikes, new or used repair stands and new or used bike parts including: cables, pedals, brakes, seats, tires, handle bars, etc.
All items will be donated to the Recycle-a-Bicycle program, a partnership between the City of Tempe PD, Fire Medical Rescue, Public Works and the City Manager’s Office and Tempe Elementary School District #3’s Gililland Middle School. The program teaches students bike repair, maintenance, safety and biking as a sustainable transportation mode and also fosters health, development, stewardship and empowerment within its students.
Source: Tempe.gov