Friends of Flagstaff’s Future update — The Candiates on Zero Waste

What do you propose to move our community towards zero waste targets?
Adam Shimoni: As one of the main organizers of the Ban the Bag Flag effort a few years ago, I believe in striding towards a zero-waste community. I support the current Zero Waste Plan and look forward to doing what I can to achieve our goal of zero-waste by 2050. As our landfill nears capacity, I hope to help reduce the sitting waste to prevent the creation of a second waste yard. I plan to help educate the community about best practices to reducing waste, such as facilitating citywide competitions amongst schools, while working on creative incentives to help minimize waste.

Dennis K Lavin: I do like the philosophy of managing and planning approaches that emphasis waste prevention. I would continue our recycling programs and continue to communicate to our already environmentally aware Community of our efforts to reduce waste.

Austin Aslan: I will seriously consider any strategies we could successfully implement in order to bring Flagstaff closer to zero waste targets. Some additional thoughts, here: I realize the state of Arizona has refused to allow plastic bag bans within towns in Arizona, and I believe Flagstaff should challenge this, from the standpoint that such ordinances place more control in local hands, an expressed value of our state leadership. I also propose we explore new recycling opportunities, now that our city recycling has reduced its acceptable items.

Alex Martinez: Encourage our business community to implement recycling procedures and offer tax incentives to encourage participation.

Paul Deasy: We should investigate new productive uses for our waste. Cities across the world, even the state of Texas, are now putting recycled plastic into asphalt to increase the durability and longevity of roads. Recycled plastic bags are being used to make manufactured flooring. These are just a couple of examples, but actively finding private sector markets to utilize our waste is key to meeting our zero waste targets.

Regina Salas: The Regional Plan envisions the long-term health and viability of our natural resource environment is maintained through strategic planning for resource conservation and protection. However, it lacks policies directly related to waste and recycling, although there are some indirectly related policies and goals that are impacted by Flagstaff’s waste system. I will further develop sustainability and waste removal policies and goals. The first step is institutionalize a policy framework to guide decision-making in developing the most sustainable waste system.Such policy framework will shift from a solid waste management framework (end-of-life) to sustainable materials management framework (full life-cycle).

Mayor Coral Evans: I am interested in seeing what steps are proposed by the City’s Climate Action and Adaptation Plan regarding what steps we as a city need to take to move toward our target of zero waste. I believe that implementation of that plan will be critical in our achieving this goal.