The Town of Queen Creek’s municipal trash and recycling program serves 23,000 households and 83,700 residents, focusing on innovation, community engagement, and sustainability. Key initiatives include free recycling carts, hazardous waste vouchers, and discounted rates at the Apache Junction Transfer Station. In fiscal year 2024, the downtown recycling center diverted 185.6 tons of waste, while free recycling events and waste disposal services further reduced landfill waste. Contamination in curbside recycling dropped from 20.62% to 11.55%, and educational outreach reaches 2,500 students annually. These efforts solidify Queen Creek as a leader in waste management and environmental stewardship.

Kids on the Colorado River is a collaborative initiative involving Arizona State Parks, the Kids on the Colorado River nonprofit, local educators, and various agencies. It engages middle school students in experiential learning about the Colorado River’s natural and cultural resources, aiming to foster environmental awareness and stewardship. The curriculum covers environmental preservation, human impacts, recreational safety, and cultural significance, highlighting the river’s ecosystem and its community connections.  Annually, over 900 students from public, private, and charter schools participate, supported by more than a dozen agencies.

Ambiente Public Arts uses a 12-foot iron obelisk in South Phoenix to visually display air quality data, specifically particulate matter PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels. The structure, powered by solar panels and controlled by an Arduino switchboard, changes color based on pollution levels. It serves as a creative, community-driven tool to highlight environmental injustices and promote air justice. Linked to a network of ASU sensors, it provides localized real-time data, fostering public engagement with the issue. The installation acts as both an art piece and a science communication tool, connecting people to their environment and encouraging community-led health solutions.