James Hill, Rising Sustainability Star

2024 Crescordia Award Recipients

James Dean (J.D.) Hill, founder of Recycled City, turned Arizona’s substantial food waste challenge into a thriving business. Since its inception in 2013, Recycled City has diverted 10 million pounds of food waste from landfills, fostering local job creation and organic farming expansion. Hill’s innovative model not only saves water and supports local agriculture but also aids commercial customers in reducing waste costs and achieving sustainability objectives. With an extensive customer base including major corporations and municipal contracts, Recycled City maintains impeccable service standards, earning an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Hill’s foresight and adaptability during the COVID-19 pandemic further demonstrated his commitment to employee welfare and community resilience. Through Recycled City, Hill has effectively intertwined food waste collection with sustainable farming, embodying the ethos of self-reliance and environmental stewardship, profoundly benefiting Arizona’s ecosystem and future generations.