In Tucson recycling is an option for all residents. If a business wants to recycle, they must request the service and determine if the costs of recycling will affect their bottom line.  Environmental Services can help make that decision a little easier through a grant received in 2009. Through this grant, ES provides businesses with a waste audit. The waste audit consists of a walk-through where a representative from Cascadia Consulting Group looks at the kinds of waste generated at the business. At that time the consultant will tell the business owner/manager how much of the waste generated is recyclable.  Based on that estimate, businesses can review their current waste collection services to determine if recycling will save money on these services. 

How Does it Work?

Though the word "audit" instills fear in many of us, a waste audit is actually easy, fun and interesting. You may schedule a waste audit for your business when it is most convenient for you.  A typical waste audit will take only 30-minutes of your time, and will not impact your business functions or be visible to your customers.  It is best to have a representative of your business on-hand for the audit who is most familiar with the facility and who can guide the waste auditor to various areas of your business where waste is generated.  A friendly waste auditor will come to your business and will help you identify the quantities and types of waste generated at your business that are fully recyclable in Tucson, and will make recommendations for easy ways to collect recyclables from the various areas in your business where they are generated.  

If you are already a City of Tucson waste collection customer, the auditor can also provide you  with estimated costs to add recycling collection at your business, based on information obtained d

uring the audit.  Keep in mind that in many instances, there is actually a reduction of monthly trash collection fees when recycling is added.  Most businesses are very surprised at the total percentage of waste that is recyclable, and how easy and cost-effective it is to begin a recycling program.

The free waste audit is being offered to businesses located within the City of Tucson only. Businesses do not have to be Environmental Services Customers, however, the potential savings could differ based on your hauler's collection rates.

If you are interested in having a waste audit conducted at your business, please call Environmental Services Customer Service at 520-791-3171.