Sustainability and Circular Waste Management in Arizona

Arizona has been working hard to improve sustainability and circular waste management. For decades, plastic has been an essential component in the creation of materials. However, most plastics contain hydrocarbons that aren’t biodegradable, such as those found in oil, gas, and coal. So, its convenience comes at a cost. Circular waste management can help prevent plastic and other trash from piling up in landfills. So, let’s look at what this type of waste management is and how it can make Arizona a better place.

What is Circular Waste Management?

Circular waste management, also known as a “circular economy,” is the idea that items are reused over and over again. It focuses on bringing discarded items back into the manufacturing process to reduce the number of materials going into landfills. Here are a few common methods that help maintain a circular economy: Reducing Waste – waste management companies help remind the public how to generate less waste. Frequent Recycling – Individuals are encouraged to recycle wherever they are by making recycling bins and centers more accessible. Extracting Value from Organics – companies can use better ways to transport food waste that can improve the economics of organics processing. Using Waste for Energy – the materials that aren’t recycled can be used to create more energy. Reducing Residuals – waste management companies can also find ways to use recycling residuals for fuel products.

Why is it so Important?

In general, recycling is important, but circular waste management is even more crucial because it promotes reducing and reusing discarded items above all else. Reducing and reusing prevents new waste from being generated in the first place, ultimately keeping extra trash out of landfills. Here are some key benefits of reducing and reusing: Prevents pollution, lessens the need to create new materials, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, saves money, sustains the environment, and reduces the number of items that are recycled, sent to landfills, or incinerated. While large companies have the greatest impact on a circular economy, every individual can also help by reducing and reusing. Buying used products, choosing items with less packaging, and using reusable items instead of disposable ones are all excellent ways to make an impact. The more we work toward circular waste management, the healthier our environment will be. This is true for every location, including Arizona.

How Can We Improve Circular Waste Management in Arizona?

Every year, over a million tons of waste enter Phoenix’s landfill, which is a situation that many cities face. The volume of that waste is enough to fill up the Chase Field over seven times! As much as Arizona has progressed in waste management, it still needs many improvements before it can reach ideal circular waste management.

Make Recycling More Accessible

Currently, Phoenix aims to achieve zero waste by 2050 through a circular economy. To do this, officials are creating a better recycling program, making recyclable and reusable materials more common, and encouraging retail businesses to only use products that are fully recyclable and reusable.

Even though recycling has been pushed as a major issue for years, many people still ignore it. According to Arizona State University, the rate of recycling plastics in the United States in 2018 was only 8.7%. Yet, Arizona scientists continue to encourage circular waste management, saying that it’s like turning garbage into gold. Providing more accessible recycling centers and bins could improve these results.

Improving Recyclable Waste

Since people rely heavily on plastic, companies are also working to find alternatives that are more reusable and biodegradable. One plastic-like material that researchers are focusing on is polyurethane. Polyurethane is one of the largest families of polymers in the world, and it’s commonly used for mattresses.

Researchers are studying polyurethane to figure out how to improve recyclable products. Right now, there aren’t many practical recycling strategies for polyurethane and similar materials, so finding a way to recycle and reuse this specific material could eventually help eliminate single-use plastics.

Yet, this research is only part of the solution. To stop creating waste in Arizona, more businesses and individuals need to pitch in. Many companies rely on certain types of plastic because they’re cheap and easy to access, but if more companies switch to more sustainable resources, then the amount going into landfills can decrease. The goal is to propose new technology without worsening the environment.

Circular Waste Management in Arizona Leads to a Sustainable Future

By making it easier to reuse and recycle materials and developing materials that are better for the environment, Arizona will be headed toward its goal of removing waste entirely. A circular economy relies on reusing resources for the benefit of our planet, so it’s a goal that all cities should be headed toward. In the meantime, find ways to reduce your waste as much as possible by reusing materials and properly recycling items.

Do you want to find out more about how you can improve sustainability and circular waste management in Arizona? If so, West Coast Hazmat Services is here to help! Contact us to get all your waste management questions answered and learn how our services can benefit you.