As of 2017, Apache Junction does not require residents to subscribe to weekly solid waste collection. Instead, it allows them to choose whether or not to contract with a solid waste pickup service, of which there are three available. The Apache Junction landfill is also located within city jurisdiction, has low rates, and offers city residents four weeks each year to dispose of one truckload of waste for free. However, this landfill is slated to close in 2035, and the next closest is more than 30 miles away. Further, while the city’s solid waste ordinance prohibits illegal dumping and storage of solid waste on residential properties, Apache Junction’shands-off approach still results in a significant number of complaints about the solid waste that has been abandoned or stored on residential properties. City officials are concerned about safety issues related to these occurrences, compliance with regulations, and ensuring a desirable quality of life for all residents.

While the city is looking forward to more sustainable solid waste management, it is unclear how it should proceed due to its unique seasonal demographics and existing system. In the fall of 2017, two courses—ERM 432/532 Sustainable Solid Waste Management and PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone enlisted in Arizona State University’s Project Cities program to provide Apache Junction with insight on issues related to its current solid waste management and present potential pathways for sustainable alternatives. To do so, ERM 432/532 students analyzed complaints received by Apache Junction and Pinal County about solid waste, researched related environmental health aspects, and assessed the city’s online complaint filing system.

Students in this course focused on understanding the current and potential impacts of Apache Junction’s existing solid waste management. To get a wider perspective, students broke into two teams. The first analyzed complaints filed with Apache Junction and PinalCounty regarding solid waste, looking for trends and insights. This team also reviewed the city’s online complaint filing system and compared it with similar municipal websites to determine how this system could better serve residents and city management. Results showed that FreeDump Week did not interrupt the flow of complaints received, and certain neighborhoods would benefit from increased educational campaigns regarding solid waste ordinances and bulk pickup services. The second team reviewed literature related to environmental and health aspects of improperly stored or disposed solid waste. Their findings highlighted issues related to odors, vector control, air pollution, soil contamination, water pollution, injury control, and aesthetics.

As of 2017, Apache Junction does not require residents to subscribe to weekly solid waste collection. Instead, it allows them to choose whether or not to contract with a solid waste pickup service, of which there are three available. The Apache Junction landfill is also located within city jurisdiction, has low rates, and offers city residents four weeks each year to dispose of one truckload of waste for free. However, this landfill is slated to close in 2035, and the next closest is more than 30 miles away. Further, while the city’s solid waste ordinance prohibits illegal dumping and storage of solid waste on residential properties, Apache Junction’shands-off approach still results in a significant number of complaints about the solid waste that has been abandoned or stored on residential properties. City officials are concerned about safety issues related to these occurrences, compliance with regulations, and ensuring a desirable quality of life for all residents.

While the city is looking forward to more sustainable solid waste management, it is unclear how it should proceed due to its unique seasonal demographics and existing system. In the fall of 2017, two courses—ERM 432/532 Sustainable Solid Waste Management and PAF 509 Public Affairs Capstone enlisted in Arizona State University’s Project Cities program to provide Apache Junction with insight on issues related to its current solid waste management and present potential pathways for sustainable alternatives.  PAF 509 students researchedApache Junction and the solid waste management practices of similar entities, then presented solutions for how the city can move forward.

Individual students in this course each produced a capstone report for their master’s degree that was focused on Apache Junction’scurrent solid waste management system. Each chose different investigative approaches, such as surveying residents or comparing practices of peer cities. Based on their research methods, the students generated their own findings and recommendations. Among these were:1) discontinuing Free Dump Week, 2) joining another city in contracting a solid waste provider for mandatory weekly pickup, and 3) implementing pay-as-you-throw solid waste service. An additional element that was prioritized was recycling.

Read the final student report delivered to the local gov/community partner.

Project Cities Contact Info
Steven Russell
Program Manager
steven.russell@asu.edu
480-727-2698

University Faculty Contact
Al Brown

Senior Lecturer
al.brown@asu.edu
(480) 727-1320

Local Government / Community Contact
Larry Kirch
Development Services
Director
lkirch@ajcity.net
480-474-5082