HOW MUCH DO WE THROW AWAY?

Over one million tons of solid waste is taken to the city’s Skunk Creek Landfill each year. Approximately half is from residences and the other half from commercial entities like schools, apartments, factories, stores and offices. This total tonnage does not reflect material taken to privately owned landfills or by other cities in the metro Phoenix area. This total amount and volume of material could fill Bank One Ballpark top to bottom at least seven times each year. It is also equal to about one ton of garbage per resident per year (or 28 full garbage curbside containers per year).

It is anticipated that the Skunk Creek Landfill will be closed in late 2005/very early 2006 and other disposal facilities will need to be utilized. The recycling program has had the effect of extending the capacity of city landfills by diverting almost 120,000 tons of recyclables each year. These materials have a great number of high volume/low weight items including plastic bottles, cardboard boxes and aluminum cans.

If you need more recent data contact Solid Waste Customer Service at (602) 262-7251 or send email to pwserve@phoenix.gov.