| Phoenix, Direct Pack Highlight Full Circle of Plastic Recycling | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/public-works/2637 | Public Works (Trash and Recycling) | | 1/27/2023 11:00:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2637/Newsroom_PWD_MRF floor.jpg | | Phoenix, Direct Pack Highlight Full Circle of Plastic Recycling | <div class="ExternalClassFF63C90DC98F485C9B8158A87EBB5337"><html>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">With <a target="_blank" href="/pio/superbowl">Super Bowl LVII</a> less than a month away, the City of Phoenix stands ready to achieve its goal of hosting the greenest Super Bowl events yet. By diverting 92% of waste produced at downtown Super Bowl activities away from the landfill, Phoenix would meet (and exceed) the EPA’s definition of a Zero Waste event.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Recycling is one of the main waste diversion methods. While the Public Works Department collects and sorts recyclables in Phoenix, partners like <a target="_blank" href="https://www.directpackinc.com/">Direct Pack, Inc. (DPI)</a> take it from there, bringing plastics all the way through the remanufacturing process to become new food packaging items once again.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“We don’t want recycling to be a mystery,” said Phoenix Public Works Director Joe Giudice. “We want every Phoenix resident to know what happens to the things they recycle – not only how they get sorted in our Materials Recovery Facility, but also where they go after that, how our partners like Direct Pack process them, and what the recycled items turn into. A transparent process can help people feel more fulfilled as they put items in their blue bins.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Each year, Phoenix processes recyclables from 400,000 households, including some material from other valley cities. All those items are taken to the Materials Recovery Center (MRF) where workers pre-sort items by pulling out things that shouldn’t be there (plastic bags and cords, for example). Disc screens then sort flat items (paper and cardboard) away from 3-dimensional items like cans, bottles, and plastic containers. From there, plastics are further separated from aluminum and glass.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Of the seven different kinds of plastic, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – a clear, lightweight plastic commonly used for beverage bottles and berry, bakery, and sandwich packaging – is the most recycled worldwide.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">“PET plastics are some of the most easily recycled plastics out there,” said Phoenix Public Works Deputy Director Eduardo Rodriguez. “That’s why it’s so important to get things like water bottles and plastic containers in the recycle bin. They can be recycled over and over again in many different forms.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">That’s where DPI comes in. In 2022 alone, DPI purchased 8.1 million pounds of PET from the City of Phoenix and took it to Direct Pack Recycling in Mexicali, Mexico. There the material is sorted, chopped, and washed multiple times before it is put back into the production of new food packaging again.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">"With our newest recycling and recovery facility located only a few hours away from Phoenix, we can trace and recover all PET plastic collected in the area with a very low carbon footprint,” said Craig Snedden, president of Direct Pack, Inc. “This transparency is important, so you know that what you put in the recycling bin actually gets recycled and reused. The packaging you put in the recycling bin today can come back as your sandwich or berry packaging a month from now.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">Phoenix’s partnership with DPI not only diverts 21 million pieces of thermoformed packaging away from the landfill each year, but it also brings those items through the full, circular business model of the recycling process.</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">"Recycling plastic bottles and containers is one of the major ways we’ll reach our Zero Waste goals for Super Bowl LVII,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “Having a partner like Direct Pack to buy and remanufacture the plastics we sort at our City of Phoenix facilities is essential to diverting waste away from the landfill.”</span>
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<span style="font-size:13.3333px;">To learn more about the sorting and remanufacturing processes of plastic recyclables, watch the virtual facility tours <a target="_blank" href="/publicworks/recycleplus">here</a> or fill out a <a target="_blank" href="/publicworks/zero-waste/signup">Zero Waste request form</a> to schedule a free tour of the MRF.</span></div>
</html></div> | https://phoenix.gov/publicworks | News |
| Volunteers Needed for Water Wrangler Conservation Program | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/water-services/2635 | Water Services | | 1/26/2023 4:58:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2635/Wrangler_NR_BecomeAWranglerb.png | | Volunteers Needed for Water Wrangler Conservation Program | <div class="ExternalClass21C10981A79B4FD69DCEF3DF0B29C5BB"><html>
<div>Phoenix Water is asking community members to donate their time to help others learn about the importance of water conservation. <br></div>
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<div>The continued Colorado River water shortage is a stark reminder of how important it is for everyone to reduce their water use. The innovative Water Wrangler program will teach people about water and empower them to share their knowledge with others. It is an excellent opportunity for community-minded people looking to be a positive influence. </div>
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<div>The Water Wrangler program includes a 12-hour training program that spans four sessions and covers Water 101, Utility Operations, Water Resources and Conservation, and Outreach Education. After completing Phoenix Water Wrangler Institute, participants receive a Certificate of Participation and a shirt. In addition, they will get opportunities to serve as community representatives at local events, public meetings, and City of Phoenix programs. </div>
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<div>Periods of drought are common in the desert southwest, sometimes enduring for decades. To be part of the solution, community members must adapt to the desert lifestyle and do their part to be water smart. Through information sharing and community engagement, the Phoenix Water Wrangler Institute will activate water conservation for the benefit of everyone in our community. </div>
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<div>To apply, <a href="/waterservices/waterwrangler" target="_blank"><strong>submit an online application</strong></a> by Jan. 31 for the virtual training. </div>
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<div>These are the requirements to participate: <br></div>
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<li>Volunteers who are at least 18 years or older<br></li>
<li>A high school graduate/GED equivalent, or higher</li>
<li>An excellent communicator </li>
<li>Able to fully complete pre-service, required training</li>
<li>Comfortable with public speaking, familiar with community development, and experienced in collaborating across diverse groups</li>
<li>Creative, responsible, flexible, and self-motivated </li>
<li>Passionate about learning and promoting water conservation and sustainability in our desert city<br></li>
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<strong>Where:</strong> Virtual via WebEx (or another digital platform).<br></div>
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<strong>When:</strong> Trainings are on Thursday evenings starting February 16 to March 9. Volunteer opportunities range across weekdays, weekday evenings, and weekends.</div>
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<strong>Deadline:</strong> Registration for the Spring 2023 cohort is now open until January 31, 2023. All four training sessions are required to complete the program.<br></div>
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<strong>Apply:</strong> <a target="_blank" href="https://phoenix.gov/waterwrangler"><strong>phoenix.gov/waterwrangler</strong></a> <br></div>
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<div>Media Contact: <br></div>
<div>Angela Serda </div>
<div>Public Information Specialist </div>
<div>Cell: (623) 499-8919 (call or text) </div>
<div>Email: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:angela.serda@phoenix.gov"><strong>angela.serda@phoenix.gov</strong></a><strong> </strong></div>
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<div>Volunteer Program Contact: <br></div>
<div>Emilie Brown<br></div>
<div>Water Resource Specialist </div>
<div>Phone: 602-495-5653</div>
<div>Email: <a target="_blank" href="mailto:emilie.brown@phoenix.gov"><strong>emilie.brown@phoenix.gov</strong></a><br></div>
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</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/waterservices | News |
| Phoenix Launches Shared Micromobility Program | https://www.phoenix.gov/newsroom/street-transportation/2634 | Street Transportation | | 1/20/2023 11:30:00 PM | https://www.phoenix.gov/newssite/Lists/NewsArticle/Attachments/2634/micromobility program launch event.jpg | | Phoenix Launches Shared Micromobility Program | <div class="ExternalClassC0D0AEAFFF0C4D0D9EB0D1149FF93540"><html>
<p>The City of Phoenix launched its permanent Shared Micromobility Program on Friday by hosting a special event in downtown with vendors Lime and Spin. The vendors showcased their inventory of e-scooters, e-bikes, traditional pedal bikes and adaptive bikes to downtown stakeholders and the media.<br></p>
<p>Various vendors have operated e-scooters in downtown Phoenix since September 2019 as part of a city-managed pilot program. On December 14, 2022, City Council authorized the Street Transportation Department to finalize an agreement with Lime and Spin to be the official vendors when the pilot program ended. The permanent program began Friday, and starts ahead of an influx of visitors who will enjoy festivities scheduled to be held in downtown in February in conjunction with Super Bowl LVII.<br></p>
<p>Each vendor is permitted to deploy as many as 1,500 vehicles within the program boundary area, with at least 20 percent being a mix of e-bikes and traditional pedal bikes. The micromobility vehicles will be available to operate from 5 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. daily. <br></p>
<p>The vendors will offer options for individuals with disabilities, as well as reduced rates for those living on low income or who receive government assistance. Additionally, the city has designated some areas as Equity Zones, where historical disinvestment has resulted in a lack of transportation and economic opportunity. The vendors will be required to deploy 30 percent of their fleet within Equity Zones. Discounted rates will also automatically apply for trips beginning in Equity Zones.</p>
<p>Learn more about the Shared Micromobility Program and view a program boundary and Equity Zones map by visiting <a target="_blank" href="/streets/scooters">Phoenix.gov/Scooters</a>.<br></p>
</html></div> | https://www.phoenix.gov/streets | News |
