CITY NEWS
THE CITY OF PHOENIX TO BEGIN TURNING PLASTICS INTO FUEL The need to find a way to re-use these THE CITY OF PHOENIX PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT IS EXCITED materials comes on the heels of China no longer accepting certain recycled TO ANNOUNCE A NEW PARTmaterials from the United States. This NERSHIP WITH RENEW PHOENIX forced city leadership to think creativeTHAT AIMS TO TURN PLASTICS ly to find new solutions for its recycled DESTINED FOR THE LANDFILL materials. Thanks to the foresight of the INTO FUEL. This innovative repurPhoenix City Council, this new project posing of what’s known as “Plastics is now ready to take shape. 3-7,” or low-value plastics, is the latest venture in the city’s “Reimagine Phoenix” initiative to increase its diversion rate Once at full production, to 40 percent by the end the project is expected to divert of 2020, and ultimately ten tons per day of mixed plastic reach zero waste by 2050. waste, which equates to 60
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“I believe in taking bold barrels chances to make big change. The idea of making fuel with the plastics we are throwing away is certainly an ‘out of the box’ idea that I am thrilled to say will also bring jobs and revenue to our city,” said Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego. “During a time when cities are giving up on recycling, Phoenix is again leading the way in setting the gold standard for innovation and creativity.”
of liquid fuel.
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“The future is all about recycling, sustainability and doing our part to ensure future generations have a healthy planet,” said Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who serves as the chair of the Water, Wastewater, Infrastructure and Sustainability (WWIS) Subcommittee. “I am certain that once others see what we are doing, they will want to be part
of this movement to prevent more materials being simply thrown away.”
The plan is for Renew Phoenix, a joint venture between Generated Materials Recovery and Renewlogy, to work together to build a facility to process the materials on the city’s Resource Innovation Campus. “I am excited for what this partnership brings to Phoenix,” said Councilman Michael Nowakowski, whose district is home to the city’s Resource Innovation Campus. “This new, innovative venture will encourage other businesses to bring-next generation technology to Phoenix to help us reach our diversion goal of 40 percent by 2020.” Renew Phoenix was selected through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. Their plan is to use a proprietary chemical recycling process to reverse the plastic back into its basic molecular structure, which will allow them to convert the plastic waste into fuel. Renew Phoenix will also bring as many as 15 full-time jobs to the valley, after investing more than five million dollars in capital to the project.
“Renewlogy is excited about bringing our technology to Phoenix and creating a more circular economy around plastic waste locally,” said Priyanka Bakaya, Founder and CEO of Renewlogy. “Phoenix will serve as a model for cities around the country looking for local solutions for plastic waste.” Once at full production, the project is expected to divert ten tons per day of mixed plastic waste, which equates to 60 barrels of liquid fuel. This partnership will not only help Phoenix, but the Valley altogether. Renew Phoenix will be able to scale their production to allow regional remanufacturing of Plastics 3-7 to be processed as well.
“We are proud to continue bucking the trend and pushing forward with innovation, economic development and repurposing our waste,” said Ginger Spencer, city of Phoenix Public Works Director. “We are committed to building a circular economy and achieving our Reimagine Phoenix goals. This new venture to turn plastics into fuel is eyeopening and we hope it will serve as a model for other cities to reimagine their own recycling programs.”
CAREFREE DESERT GARDENS CELEBRATE NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY
THIS ANNUAL DAY OF AWARENESS TAKES PLACE NATIONWIDE ON FRIDAY, MAY 10 THE CROWN JEWEL OF CAREFREE AND AMAZING OASIS IN THE DESERT, CAREFREE DESERT GARDENS JOIN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES IN A CELEBRATION OF NATIONAL PUBLIC GARDENS DAY ON FRIDAY, MAY 10 FROM 10 A.M.–3 P.M. IN DOWNTOWN CAREFREE.
from those submitted in April during the annual Carefree Desert Gardens Photo Contest; and docent-led tours of the garden with Lee Brownson, former Executive Director of Wallace Desert Gardens. Plein air art creation by local artisans and live music will round out the celebrations.
This day of public garden awareness traditionally occurs on the Friday preceding Mother’s Day weekend, inviting communities nationwide to explore the diverse beauty of their local green spaces and to take advantage of local conservation, education and environmental preservation resources.
National Public Gardens Day was established in 2009 as a day to promote awareness about North America’s arboreta, zoos, and historic, botanic and public gardens. Members of the American Public Gardens Association, a Pennsylvania non-profit organization that supports, resources and promotes public gardens in North America, created the event as a way to increase knowledge about the educational resources public gardens provide within local communities.
Among the activities planned for the day are: a presentation of Desert Medicinal Plants by JoAnn Sanchez, creator and director the Western Herbalism program, Botanica, at the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts; an awards ceremony honoring the winning photos selected 4 • May 2019 • SCOTTSDALE NORTH NEWS
For more information and the complete schedule of events, contact the Town of Carefree at 480-488-3686, or visit Carefree.org. scottsdalenorthnews.com
