Project Spotlight: Students Recommend Methods to Improve Apache Junction’s Residential Solid Waste Management System
For many years, the City of Apache Junction has had a limited approach when it came to managing residential solid waste. Due to complaints surrounding solid waste issues, Apache Junction determined they must improve current policies to better the quality of life for their growing population and to limit environmental health impacts.
Apache Junction sought assistance from Project Cities at Arizona State University to help identify existing and potential issues within the City’s current solid waste management policies, along with creating recommendations to mediate issues in the interest of its citizens and environment.
Project Cities connected city staff with faculty and their courses. A member of the EPIC-Network, ASU’s Project Cities “connects higher education with local communities” (from ASU Project Cities site) to co-create sustainable solutions which progress cities toward a better future.
Public affairs capstone students reviewed and evaluated the solid waste management program at Apache Junction through a combination of program evaluation, policy analysis and peer community analyses. Specifically, the students examined the city’s fee structures, “free dump week” program, and private hauler contracts.
Students compiled several recommendations on various program structures implemented in other communities. Among several other recommendations, this included implementing a as pay-as-you-throw program, conducting public outreach, entering shared service agreements, and diverting household hazardous waste.
This project was closely aligned to work completed by students in ASU’s Environmental Resource Management course. Read about that project and how these two projects led to long term results in Apache Junction.
Learn more about the project here. Read the full story of the partnership here.
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