Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) officials announced the recipients of its Recycling Grant Awards. These grants signify an ongoing commitment to supporting the advancement of statewide circular economy efforts and reducing materials sent to Arizona landfills.
We are inspired by the 68 applicants who requested nearly $8 million in funding, who share our vision for a cleaner, more sustainable Arizona,
said ADEQ Director Karen Peters. Each proposal demonstrated real passion for improving recycling in our communities, and we’re excited to partner with these organizations to turn those ideas into action.
The grant awardees for Fiscal Year 2026 are:
- Bold Reuse — $58,694
- Borderlands Produce Rescue — $192,728
- City of Avondale — $20,490
- City of Scottsdale — $25,000
- Flagstaff Downtown Business Alliance — $21,471.45
- Goodwill of Central & Northern Arizona — $72,000
- Grow Arizona Workforce Network — $14,775
- HonorHealth — $44,266
- Nackard Pepsi — $55,550
- Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community — $62,000
- Slide Rock — $20,489
- Town of Florence — $217,784.52
- Yavapai College — $65,000
- Yuma County — $79,863.03
These grants empower organizations in both rural and metro communities to execute diverse initiatives, from expanding school reuse programs and advancing textile recycling technology to keeping tons of asphalt out of landfills by repurposing it into road construction.
Recipients expressed enthusiasm for the opportunities the funding presents to their communities and industries. As stewards of our land and our parks, we are excited about the grant funding to support recycling at Slide Rock State Park,
said Park Manager Sam Axford. This will make recycling much easier and more intuitive for our visitors.
We feel it is our responsibility to do what we can to protect mother nature, that is why for 30-years now our nonprofit has been focused on doing our part to help curb food waste,
said Borderlands Produce Rescue President and Chief Executive Officer Yolanda Soto. This ADEQ grant will make a huge impact on how we do the work we do and help us create new systems and ways of approaching commercial produce waste in the produce corridor that is Nogales, Arizona.
This support allows us to lead by example in sustainability, reduce our environmental footprint, and strengthen our commitment to a healthier, more resilient Scottsdale,
stated Scottsdale Fire Department Fire Chief Thomas Shannon. We are grateful for the trust placed in our department to advance innovative solutions that benefit both our community and the region.
This grant will provide resources to advance innovative technology that enables waste reduction and promotes textile circularity,
said Goodwill of Central and Northern Arizona Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer Beth Forsberg. In collaboration with Refiberd, we will deploy new and existing AI-enabled technology to evaluate post-retail textiles for their eligibility for reuse, repair and recycling.
State legislators shared remarks recognizing the awardees and their leadership. Congratulations to the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Recycling Grant winners,
said Arizona State Representative Janeen Connolly (D) LD-8. Thank you for your leadership and for investing your creative energy and talent into advancing recycling programs for your communities as well as for our state.
In Yuma County, illegal dumping of trash, tires, furniture, yard clippings and commercial waste continues to be a serious environmental and health issue,
said Arizona State Representative Mariana Sandoval (D) LD-13. These materials can contaminate our precious water supplies and crops, and present a danger to farmworkers, hikers, off-road vehicle operators and wildlife. So, I am thrilled that Yuma County’s innovative and engaging public awareness campaign – Desert Strong, Yuma Clean – is being supported.
ADEQ reestablished the Arizona Recycling Advisory Committee (ARAC) in 2023 after a decade-long hiatus to support statewide recycling efforts. The committee plays a pivotal role in assisting ADEQ Director Karen Peters in managing recycling funds, allocating grant projects, and advocating for recycling initiatives statewide. Now in its second year, the grant cycle underscores Arizona’s continued commitment to sustainable resource management, infrastructure development, and community innovation,
said ARAC Chair Philip Sheinbein. I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Governor Hobbs, the Arizona Legislature, and ADEQ leadership and staff for their ongoing appropriation, vision and support in advancing recycling and circular economy initiatives statewide.
This grant funding will provide much needed support for our communities to not only address critical waste issues but to create pathways for cultivating innovation and a localized circular economy,
said ARAC Vice Chair Amanda Jordan. This cycle helped to reiterate the strong demand across sectors for this type of funding and support, and I look forward to witnessing the positive impact the awardees will have over the coming year.