{"id":29,"date":"2024-12-16T19:01:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-16T19:01:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/sustainabilitysolutions\/?page_id=29"},"modified":"2025-12-10T17:56:20","modified_gmt":"2025-12-10T17:56:20","slug":"circular-recycling-solutions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/sustainabilitysolutions\/projects\/circular-recycling-solutions\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Circular Recycling Solutions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Arizona Circular Recycling Solutions<\/h1>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Home<\/a><\/span> \/ Projects<\/a><\/span> \/ Arizona Circular Recycling Solutions<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Overview<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This multifaceted study highlights challenges and opportunities for recycling solutions across Arizona. This involves analyzing waste composition by material across cities, towns and counties and creating a data visualization model of waste flows in Arizona to provide actionable insights. The economic impact of current recycling systems is assessed alongside growth scenarios, with a logistics and cost-benefit analysis conducted to identify financially viable strategies for regional and rural collaboration in processing recyclable materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the study focuses on building a statewide strategy for economic attraction and development, piloting a hub-and-spoke recycling system connected to end markets based on a material flow analysis for specific plastic waste streams, like beverage bottles. Together, these efforts aim to strengthen recycling infrastructure, promote economic growth and provide communities with data-driven solutions to advance sustainable waste management in Arizona.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Outcomes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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In the first year of the project, the team compiled an inventory of demographic, waste and recycling data to build a validated, county-scale waste estimation model and laid the groundwork for a user-friendly visualization system. This research indicated that even states with advanced recycling reporting often rely on model data that doesn\u2019t accurately reflect reality. In response, the team developed a more sophisticated compositional model, trained on real data from Arizona, that is validated against widely accepted national models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The model, validated in year 1 and downscaled to a community level in year 2, offers a more accurate basis for decision-making at state, county, municipal and community levels. Once fully implemented, the waste estimation model and visualization system will provide accurate, actionable data on material generation and movement within the recycling value chain, both locally and regionally. The team also created a statewide inventory of businesses across the recycling value chain for 11 material types and is currently working with the City of Phoenix and CPEC to develop business incentives and strategies for growing a regional circular economy network. A budget and equipment have been secured a mobile containerized recycled plastics microfactory, designed for use in standalone, rural or remote settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Collaboration with the EPA recycling modeling team confirmed that this work coming from ASU is significantly ahead of national efforts, positioning the state as a leader in circular economy research. <\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Quotes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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This project is a truly pioneering project for the State of Arizona as it not only prioritizes research into the solid waste recycling industry, but allows the team to innovate new methods, tools and partnerships across the state to accelerate viable circular economies that create jobs in Arizona, while diverting valuable materials from landfilling.<\/p>\n\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tRaj Buch, Business Development Director, ASU Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/cite>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/blockquote>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n
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Project partners<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\u25cf  AZ Department of Environmental Quality<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25cf  Greater Phoenix Economic Council<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\u25cf  City of Phoenix<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/section>\n\n

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Supporting and Increasing Recycling Around Arizona<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Final Report<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

September 2025<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This project highlights the strong connection between recycling and the circular economy\u2014two key drivers of Arizona\u2019s economic growth. Across the state, businesses, communities, policymakers, educators, and residents are reimagining how we use resources, reducing waste, and building innovative circular solutions. From cutting-edge recycling efforts to community-led circular hubs, Arizona is already putting this vision into action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Read the full report PDF<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Arizona Circular Recycling Solutions<\/strong> in the media<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Delivering solutions for Arizona through innovative partnerships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

April 8, 2022<\/strong> | azregents.edu<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From air quality to clean water, driving research for the people of Arizona to uncover new solutions to persistent challenges is the purpose of the newly created Regents\u2019 Grants, announced today by the Arizona Board of Regents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on azregents.edu<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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New recycling initiative hopes to up efficiency<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

November 05, 2023<\/strong> | abc15.com<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There have been long calls to make the recycling process more efficient as large amounts of recyclables often end up in landfills. A new program rolling out hopes to change that.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read on abc15.com<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Arizona Circular Recycling Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The study examines Arizona\u2019s recycling options, waste management practices, economic impacts, and tests a hub-and-spoke system to improve plastic recycling.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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