As holiday trash piles up at record rates, the City of Tucson is working to keep reusable and recyclable items out of the Los Reales Landfill by hosting biannual zero waste drop-off events that give residents an easier way to responsibly part with unwanted items.

“It really just kind of started as a conversation about how do we provide some options for diverting more things from the landfill,” said Cristina Polsgrove, the city’s management coordinator for Tucson Environmental Services.

She said municipalities across the country see a larger increase in landfill waste over the holidays than at any other time of year, with the Environmental Protection Agency reporting a 25% increase in waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, amounting to about 1 million extra tons.

The landfill already collects more than 220,000 tons of trash each year, prompting the city to take action with the zero waste events.

Zero Waste Tucson collection events help divert usable materials from the landfill to organizations that can donate, recycle or repurpose items that might otherwise be thrown away. City officials say the events also highlight year-round waste diversion options while promoting sustainable consumption and reducing pollution.

“One thing that’s always concerned me is that there are a lot of options for things to either be recycled or reused in Tucson, but sometimes people are not aware of them,” Polsgrove said.

In addition to its own drop-off locations, the city partners with Goodwill, Bookmans, El Grupo, the Tucson Police Department and other businesses to help residents safely dispose of items they no longer want.

“We all have the same goals,” Polsgrove said. “I think collaboration is really important; we wouldn’t be able to do it ourselves.”

Residents can drop off clothing, scrap metal, old bikes, books, medications, American flags, medical equipment and other miscellaneous items. Items not accepted at the events include chemicals, paint, light bulbs, batteries and propane tanks.

The zero waste events started in 2022, with about 140 cars stopping by to drop off unwanted items. By 2024, the city saw more than 500 cars visit its fall event.

Polsgrove said the city hosts zero waste events in November and again in the spring.

The University of Arizona Office of Sustainability said it hopes to participate in future zero waste events, collecting food waste to create compost.

In addition to the city’s zero waste events, local merchant Cero has worked to help reduce waste since opening the city’s first dedicated zero waste shop in 2019.

Cero started as a pop-up shop before growing into a retail store with a location on East Broadway Boulevard. In 2023, Cero moved to the west side’s Mercado District at the Monier Building.

The store sells sustainable hygiene products, including soap and shampoo and conditioner bars, paper, mugs, jewelry and other items. They offer soap refills and a free clothing swap and serve as a drop-off location for empty prescription pill bottles, takeout containers and cutlery, among other items.

“My goal has always been to make people aware of the options available to them,” Polsgrove said. “So hopefully this brings attention to those organizations that are available to them all year round.”

Information about future Zero Waste events can be found on Tucson Environmental Services' website or social media pages.

Arilynn Hyatt is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at arilynndhyatt@arizona.edu.

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