The City of Tempe is kicking off the new year with an environmental initiative aimed at reducing waste. As reported by the city's newsletter, residents are invited to participate in Zero Waste Day this coming Saturday, Jan. 25, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Tempe Fire Training Center located at 1340 E. University Drive. The event has been successful in the past, with the previous Zero Waste Day witnessing 581 cars participating and a staggering 60,731 pounds of waste being diverted from landfills, as reported by the City of Tempe.
During these free drive-thru events, locals can get rid of a variety of items that aren't typically eligible for standard trash or blue recycling bin collection. A hint for those planning to attend—organizers suggest that the event is usually less crowded between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Among the accepted items are electronics, appliances, paper for shredding, household hazardous waste, and much more. However, certain restrictions apply, and materials such as plastic bags, mattresses, and commercial products aren't on the accepted list. Full details can be found on the city's official event page.
For those who aren't able to make it to the event, there's still an opportunity to dispose of unwanted materials responsibly throughout the year. The Household Products Collection Center (HPCC) in Tempe offers a drive-thru for dropping off many of the same items accepted at Zero Waste Day. Tempe.gov/HPCC holds further information on operating hours and a comprehensive list of accepted items for the HPCC, as per the City of Tempe.
