Scottsdale has received a recycling grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to pilot a food waste diversion program at its fire stations. The initiative will install food recycling units in station kitchens, aiming to divert food scraps from landfills and convert them into reusable material. This makes Scottsdale the second city in the nation and the first in Arizona to introduce such a program within a fire department.
Fire stations operate around the clock, providing an opportunity to test scalable solutions for reducing food waste. Scottsdale Solid Waste Services will oversee implementation, staff training, data tracking, and evaluation. Quarterly reports will be produced throughout the year-long pilot, followed by a full assessment. The city will review diversion outcomes, operational impacts, and costs before deciding on long-term adoption.
Scottsdale is one of 14 recipients statewide of this year’s ADEQ Recycling Grant Awards. These grants support efforts to reduce landfill waste and advance recycling initiatives across Arizona.
Spring training for Major League Baseball begins Saturday, Feb. 21 at Scottsdale Stadium with the San Francisco Giants hosting Cactus League games ahead of their regular season. Tickets are available through MLB.com/SpringTraining. Free trolley service will transport fans to home games; trolleys start running 90 minutes before each game and end 30 minutes after.
Public meetings scheduled for the week include sessions by several commissions: Tourism Development (Feb. 17), Parks & Recreation (Feb. 18), Airport Advisory (Feb. 18), and Transportation (Feb. 19). More information about city boards and how residents can participate is available online.
Several events are planned throughout February in Scottsdale:
– Super Sports Saturday on Feb. 21 at Chaparral Park offers free sports activities for all ages.
– The Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show runs through Feb. 22 at WestWorld.
– Native Spirit Dancers perform on Feb. 22.
– Spring Training Movie Night features “A League of Their Own” on Feb. 28 at Scottsdale Civic Center.
– Weekly ArtWalks continue every Thursday evening.
Additional programs include Neighborhood College classes focusing on local history (Feb. 24) and HOA/condo finances (Feb. 25). The city highlights open positions like Streets Equipment Operator Sr., responsible for maintaining roadways as part of the Transportation & Infrastructure team.
Vista del Camino Park is undergoing enhancements as part of the Indian Bend Wash Lakes and Irrigation Project, including new lake liners, deeper profiles, realigned paths, and planting new trees in celebration of Scottsdale’s upcoming anniversary.
The city marks its 75th anniversary with various events involving local businesses and community organizations.
Western Week recently celebrated Scottsdale’s heritage with parades honoring Native American culture and Old West traditions—a reflection of its nickname “The West’s Most Western Town” due to ranching roots and tourism appeal (source).
Since its early years, Scottsdale has attracted artists, writers, health seekers, blending Western heritage with cultural activities (source). The population surpassed 202,000 by the year 2000 over roughly 185 square miles (source). City governance follows a council-manager structure where elected officials legislate policy (source). Multiple departments manage parks like those found along Indian Bend Wash (source). Forbes has ranked Scottsdale among America’s safest cities over 100,000 people (source).
Contact information for services such as reporting issues or reviewing traffic restrictions remains available through city channels.
