Environmental Initiatives

Scottsdale has long been recognized as an environmental leader and continually seeks ways to be more environmentally conscious. From protecting over 30,500 acres of desert to operating one of the world's most sophisticated water recycling facilities, along with adopting and enforcing numerous green policies citywide - Scottsdale prides itself on integrating bold innovative eco-friendly concepts.

The City of Scottsdale is committed to enhancing the lives of its residents and effectively managing model conservation efforts to protect valuable resources for future generations. Read more about ongoing Sustainable Scottsdale initiatives and how you can be part of the solution.

Current Projects:

Fire Station Food Waste Diversion Project

The City of Scottsdale Fire Department and Solid Waste Services are partnering on a one-year food waste diversion project funded by a $25,000 Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) Recycling Grant. The project places Mill food recycling units in fire station kitchens to divert food scraps from landfills and evaluate environmental and operational impacts.

Scottsdale is the first city in Arizona and second in the nation to implement this type of food waste diversion project within a fire department.

Why Fire Stations?

Fire stations operate 24 hours a day and generate consistent food waste, making them an ideal environment to test practical, at-the-source diversion strategies. This controlled project allows the city to measure real-world performance before considering broader implementation.

How the Project Is Being Measured?

Solid Waste Services is tracking:

Pounds of food waste diverted
Equipment reliability and usage trends
Staff participation
Trash service audits to evaluate potential collection and disposal cost offsets
Overall net cost position (with the intent to remain cost-neutral)

What This Means for Residents?

This project does not impact residential or commercial trash service.
There are no rate changes associated with this project.
The project is designed to test innovative, data-driven approaches to reducing landfill waste while maintaining cost stewardship.

Heat Mitigation Plan

Heat remains one of our region’s top sustainability challenges, with far-reaching impacts on our community's health, infrastructure, environment and economic well-being. In 2020, Scottsdale partnered with Arizona State University to assess patterns of urban heat in the city Scottsdale and identify promising cool strategies. Learn more about the Cooler Scottsdale Study and the progress on Scottsdale's first Heat Mitigation Plan.

Heat Mitigation Plan

Shade and Tree Plan

The Scottsdale Shade & Tree Plan endeavors to cultivate a cooler, more vibrant cityscape, enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike through a strategic focus on urban structured shade and urban forestry. Inspired by a collective vision shared by the City Council and Scottsdale's diverse community, this initiative aims to enhance the urban canopy, promote environmental resilience, and mitigate the urban heat island effect, fostering a healthier, more livable city for generations to come.

Shade and Tree Plan

What We Do

Water

As a desert city, Scottsdale understands the value of water and continues to help local businesses and citizens understand water conservation and responsible water stewardship.

Sunlit desert hillside featuring cacti, shrubs, and expansive views of surrounding mountains.

Preserve

Scottsdale is proudly home to McDowell Sonoran Preserve, a permanently protected desert habitat and largest urban preserve in the U.S., encompassing more than 30,500 acres and 200+ miles of trails.

Smooth walking and biking path weaving through open lawns, trees, and shaded park areas.

Parks & Trees

Scottsdale has created parks, open spaces, paths and trails that are home to plants, trees and wildlife that strengthen the natural ecology and the community's quality of life.

A city waste collection truck lifts residential bins during a routine neighborhood pickup.

Waste Reduction & Diversion

Scottsdale helps its citizens dispose responsibly and offers resources and information to ensure your recycling doesn't go to waste.

Solar panels reflecting warm sunlight beneath a partly cloudy sky during golden hour.

Energy & Fuel

Scottsdale continues to be committed to conserving and managing energy in an environmentally responsible and sustainable way to ensure the future of Scottsdale is bright.

Scottsdale trolley passes a bronze cowboy sculpture in a sunny urban streetscape scene.

Transportation

Scottsdale is devoted to air quality and resource conservation, helping you get where you need to go and reducing Scottsdale's carbon footprint while doing so.