Scottsdale receives grant for fire station food waste diversion pilot

Staff Writer | Volunteer Zone

The city of Scottsdale has received a $25,000 recycling grant from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality to launch a yearlong food waste diversion pilot at select Scottsdale fire stations.

The project will place food recycling units in fire station kitchens to divert food scraps from the waste stream and convert them into reusable material, according to a press release.

Modeled after a program in Kansas City, the pilot makes Scottsdale the second city in the nation and the first in Arizona to test this type of food waste diversion effort within a fire department.

“This support allows us to lead by example, reduce our environmental footprint and strengthen our commitment to a healthier, more resilient Scottsdale,” Fire Chief Tom Shannon said. “We are grateful for the trust placed in our department to advance innovative solutions that benefit both our community and the region.”

Because fire stations operate 24 hours a day, they offer an environment suited for testing practical, scalable approaches to reducing food waste. Scottsdale Solid Waste Services will oversee implementation, staff training, data tracking and evaluation throughout the pilot year. The city will measure diversion results, operational impacts and cost considerations to assess the program’s long‑term potential.

Scottsdale is one of 14 recipients selected statewide for Fiscal Year 2026 Recycling Grant Awards. The ADEQ Recycling Grant Program supports projects that reduce landfill waste, promote reuse and recycling and encourage new approaches to materials management across Arizona communities.

The pilot is underway and will include quarterly performance reports and an evaluation at the end of the one‑year grant period.