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Phoenix took a spot as one of five public sector finalists in The Circulars 2018 Awards, which recognizes the world's most inspiring individuals and organizations contributing to the circular economy - where materials are designed for future reuse and at the end of their life become a potential resource rather than trash. Phoenix is the only U.S. city to be recognized as a finalist in the Circulars Public Sector category for its Reimagine Phoenix Initiative, introduced as a necessary step to divert 40 percent of waste away from the landfill by 2020 (currently at 30 percent) and zero waste by 2050.
The Circulars, an initiative of the World Economic Forum and the Forum of Young Global Leaders, run in collaboration with Accenture Strategy, is the world's premier circular economy award program. The award offers recognition to individuals and organizations across the globe that are making notable contributions to the circular economy in the private sector, public sector and society. The annual awards are hosted at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.
"Phoenix continues to earn international recognition for our sustainability goals and progress, and we're committed to keeping the momentum going," says Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton. "The Reimagine Phoenix Initiative is inspiring innovators to imagine different uses for waste and create economic value from it. Leading the way in sustainability is not only good for our environment but also good for our economy."
Reimagine Phoenix aims to fuel the Phoenix circular economy by supporting waste-to-product businesses and reducing the amount of waste sent to the landfill. With a population of more than four million people, the Phoenix metropolitan area is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. adding about 150 residents every day. These efforts to move beyond the linear models of take, make and waste are crucial.
"While Phoenix has made progress by increasing our diversion rate we must continue to educate residents and businesses on the circular economy. The more we're able to inform our community about the benefits of Reimagine Phoenix and its programs, the more waste we can divert from the landfill and the more resources we save," says Phoenix Councilwoman Thelda Williams, who chairs the City Council's Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee.
The Reimagine Phoenix Initiative is all about finding new ways to reuse our existing resources. This acknowledgment as a finalist recognizes the hard work Phoenix is doing to make a difference in the circular economy universe.
The Circular Economy Public Sector award is given to the city, region, education establishment, NGO (non-governmental organization), local or national government body or program, or public procurement initiative which best enables an environment for the circular economy to develop and flourish.
"Our Reimagine Phoenix Initiative pushes us to collaborate with businesses and the academic community to find innovative solutions to divert waste," says Phoenix Public Works Director Ginger Spencer. "Since Reimagine Phoenix was launched, the Public Works Department has explored a variety of exciting methods and new partnerships to increase diversion. Phoenix's goal is to become a leader in diverting trash from landfills through the development of a robust circular economy."
As a 2018 finalist, Phoenix's story will be featured in The Circulars 2018 Yearbook, a collection of the best circular economy case studies from the 2018 program.
For more information about Reimagine Phoenix visit: Phoenix.gov/publicworks/reimagine.
#ReimaginePHX on social media:
Twitter @TalkingTrashPHX Facebook PHXPublicWorks Instagram @talkingtrashphx
For more information on the awards and the winning projects visit: https://thecirculars.org/
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