Tempe has a new goal to provide on-site recycling to 70 percent of all multifamily housing complexes by the year 2020. About 38 percent of Tempe homes are in complexes of five or more living units.

“Multifamily homes represent a significant portion of our city’s waste collection operations,” said Tempe Councilmember Kolby Granville. “Increasing the diversion rate will help us become better stewards of the environment while also saving money on landfill disposal costs.”

Tempe’s Solid Waste Division will work to reach the new goal by encouraging voluntary recycling programs in all city multifamily complexes. The strategy includes:

• Working with existing multifamily customers to start new recycling programs or to ensure their existing programs are meeting their full potential
• Developing customized programs that address the needs of multifamily residents
• Participating actively with developers and property owners to provide recycling and to encourage their residents to participate
• Ensuring that new multifamily complex projects include adequate space for collecting recyclables
• Continuing to educate residents and students about the benefits of recycling and why it is so important for the environment and the city’s bottom line
• Working with private haulers as needed to provide recycling programs to their customers to help reach the goal

“Tempe has a long history of taking on challenging environmental issues and coming up with solutions that create positive change,” said Tempe Councilmember Lauren Kuby. “The city’s commitment to sustainability has reached new heights with this recycling goal.”

In February 2015, Tempe City Council provided direction to form a working group to discuss multifamily recycling, which can often be more challenging than curbside because of space constraints on apartment properties and a lack of convenient options for residents. The working group included Tempe Vice Mayor Corey Woods, Councilmembers Kolby Granville and Lauren Kuby and several staff members with recycling and solid waste expertise. After several meetings and research, the working group developed a resolution proposing the new goal. The City Council adopted the goal at its June 10 Regular Council Meeting.

For more information on Tempe’s recycling programs, visit www.tempe.gov/slashthetrash.

The City of Apache Junction has recently received the United States Green Building Council’s “Heavy Medal” LEED certification award. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for energy conservation and sustainability.

According to City Manager George Hoffman, “LEED is a voluntary, market driven program. It is all about creating healthy spaces for employees and the public.”

The award ceremony was hosted by Paul Horton from Channel 5 News in Phoenix, and city of Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton who was the keynote speaker at the event.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) consists of a suite of rating systems for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods that make economic sense.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and spearheaded by Robert K. Watson, Founding Chairman LEED Steering Committee from 1995 until 2006, LEED is intended to provide building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions.