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Purpose of Rethink Waste
Rethink Waste is an outreach effort to divert resources and harmful waste from landfills and illegal dump sites. The outreach aims to increase public awareness and education on recycling, waste reduction and proper waste disposal, as well as increase public participation in unincorporated and rural Maricopa County.
Goals of Rethink Waste
- Divert 50% of waste from landfills and illegal dumps in unincorporated areas
- Increase recycling rates by 30% in unincorporated areas
- Assist 4-6 communities annually with community clean ups to help keep unincorporated areas clean and environmentally healthy.
- To increase 150,000 residents knowledge and education on waste and recycling.
Program Information
Rethink Waste began in 2008 with the opening of new residential recycling drop off centers. The program is funded by Maricopa County Solid Waste Management Department, and two Arizona Department of Environmental Quality grants in FY 09, and a USDA Rural Utilities Solid Waste Management Grant FY 09-10. ADEQ grants funded capital equipment for the recycling collections at our centers and recycling outreach materials. The USDA grant funds a rural focus county campaign on illegal dumping prevention and waste education, as well as training of our field staff in Hazardous Waste handling.
Personnel
The outreach and education on waste and recycling, as well as community events are organized and managed by the Solid Waste Program Coordinator.
Solid Waste Management
Solid Waste Management is a department of Maricopa County Public Works. The department participates in the Valley Wide Recycling Partnership and Arizona Recycling Coalition, as well as the Maricopa County’s Green Government program. For more information about the Maricopa County Solid Waste Management Department visit our main site at http://www.swm.maricopa.gov.
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Waste Education 
