The city of Scottsdale has received a $25,000 Recycling Grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to start a yearlong food waste diversion pilot at select fire stations. The project will install food recycling units in fire station kitchens to divert food scraps from regular waste and convert them into reusable material. This initiative is modeled after a similar program in Kansas City, making Scottsdale the second city in the United States and the first in Arizona to try this approach within its fire department.
“This support allows us to lead by example, reduce our environmental footprint and strengthen our commitment to a healthier, more resilient Scottsdale,” said Fire Chief Tom Shannon. “We are grateful for the trust placed in our department to advance innovative solutions that benefit both our community and the region.”
Fire stations operate around the clock, providing an opportunity to test practical solutions for reducing food waste. Scottsdale Solid Waste Services will manage implementation, staff training, data tracking, and evaluation during the pilot year. The city plans to measure how much waste is diverted, operational impacts, and costs to assess whether the program should continue long-term.
Scottsdale is one of 14 recipients across Arizona chosen for Fiscal Year 2026 Recycling Grant Awards. ADEQ’s grant program supports projects aimed at reducing landfill waste and promoting recycling throughout Arizona communities.
The pilot has started and will include quarterly performance reports as well as a full evaluation at the end of one year.
Scottsdale has been recognized for its blend of Western heritage and cultural activities since its early years, attracting artists and health seekers as described on its official history page. The city operates under a council-manager government structure where legislative authority rests with an elected council (source). With over 202,000 residents by 2000 spread across about 185 square miles (source), Scottsdale also features parks and recreational spaces managed by various departments (source). The city was ranked among the top 15 safest U.S. cities with populations over 100,000 according to Forbes (source).
For more information about Scottsdale’s sustainability initiatives, visit ScottsdaleAZ.gov and search “sustainability.”
