Taxpayer Cost of Litter And Illegal Dumping in Arizona
Written by Cathy on February 11, 2010 – 9:38 am -Welcome back!
I just Gotta Tell Ya
- $3,000,000 and nearly 150,000 labor hours each year to pick up trash along Valley freeways.
- DOT crews pick up an average 12,647 bags of litter from Valley freeways each month, or about 151,000 bags per year.
- Each bag of trash weighs an average 10.635 lbs., representing 134,501 pounds (67.25 tons) a month, or about 1.6 million pounds of trash (803 tons) per year.
Who To Call
- If you witness someone littering, you can call the litter hotline at 1-877-3LITTER (354-8837)
Fines
Fines for Littering
- Misdemeanor fine of $500 in the state of Arizona? The fast food that cost you $5 could end up costing you $500 when you toss that bag out the window.
Fines for Roadway Debris
- Arizona Department of Public Safety, violators could be charged with a class two misdemeanor. The fines, plus court costs, can range from $460 to well over $1,000, depending on injuries
Taxpayer Cost
Illegal Dumping Into Water Supplies cals.arizona.edu/AZWATER/awr/jun95/jnews.html-Add one more use to the multiple uses of U.S. Forest Service lands: the illegal dumping of hazardous materials. With hazardous waste becoming more difficult and expensive to dispose of legally, more westerners are dumping materials on U.S. Forest Servic e lands. For example, last spring someone dumped several drums of cleaning fluid in the Verde Valley within the Coconino National Forest in central Arizona. Some 30 cubic yards of contaminated soil needed to be removed, at a cost of $20,000, to keep the chem icals from seeping into the nearby Verde River.
Resource Websites
Hamilton County Environmental Services http://www.hcdoes.org/sw/illegaldump/illegal_dumping.htm
Illegal Dumping Issues & Answers: http://www.recycle.4t.com/custom3.html
Illegal Dumping Prevention Guide http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/resources/il-dmpng.pdf
Environmental, Health & Economic Effects of Illegal Dumping http://pulse.pharmacy.arizona.edu/resources/EffectsofDumping.pdf
Report Illegal Dump Sites: http://www.metro-region.org/article.cfm?articleid=569
Illegal Dumping Control http://www.stormwatercenter.net/Pollution_Prevention_Factsheets/IllegalDumpingControl.htm
What is Illegal Dumping and Why is it a Problem: http://www.metrokc.gov/health/hazard/dumping.htm
Phoenix.gov on Illegal Dumping http://phoenix.gov/GARBAGE/illdump.html
Texas Illegal Dumping Resource Center http://www.tidrc.org/Homex.htm
City of Tucson on Illegal Dumping http://www.tucsonaz.gov/infoguide/ig_listing.php?listing=159
Article in Arizona Daily Star on Illegal Dumping http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/taxpayerwatch/65359
Tags: AZ, Pollution
Posted in Arizona | 1 Comment »
Litter in Arizona – 2008 Report
Written by Cathy on March 21, 2009 – 6:06 am -
Don't Trash Arizona
To Read the Full Report go to Don’t Trash Arizona
- In 2008, residents were less likely to report having a litterbag or trashcan in their vehicle than in 2006 (indicated by 58%, down from 62%).
- As Arizona residents reported in 2006, the most common type of trash that accumulates in their vehicles is small pieces of paper such as gum wrappers, receipts and lottery tickets (mentioned by 29%)
- Similar to 2006 results, one in six Arizona residents indicated they are smokers (16%). Of those who currently smoke, most understood that throwing cigarette butts out the window is a type of littering, with only 6% expressing the belief that such action is not a type of littering. The same percentage (6%) reported that they actually throw their cigarette butts out the window.
- One in six Arizona residents indicated they drive a pickup truck (16%). This percentage is highest in the outlying areas of the state (22%). Pickup truck owners are significantly more like than others to indicate they noticed trash falling out of their vehicle in the past three months (36% vs. 19% to 22% of drivers of other vehicles). Truck drivers indicated that soda cans and soda bottles were the most common types of litter found in the back of their truck (mentioned by 14%).
- In 2008, littering along Arizona freeways was seen as less of a problem than in 2006. Approximately three in ten residents indicated litter along the freeways throughout the state of Arizona was a “big” problem (31%, down from 38%) or “moderate” problem (43%, up slightly from 42%)
- When Arizona residents were asked what types of materials they would consider a “serious” litter problem, plastic bags and other plastic items topped the list (mentioned by 32%, increasing from 27% in 2006). However, when looking at it from a broader scope, more than three in five residents (64%) identified beverage cans and bottles as serious litter problems (soda cans/bottles-28%, beer cans/bottles-23%, and water bottles-13%).
- When asked to itemize what items they thought they had littered in the past year, a majority of Arizona residents insisted that they had not littered at all during the past year (67%) – this was similar to the findings from the 2006 study when 69% claimed they had not littered.
Tags: AZ
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Native Plants- Arizona
Written by Cathy on February 19, 2009 – 9:22 am -

For More Information go to -Arizona Native Plant Society : http://AZNPS.org
Southwestern Native Seeds P.O. Box 50503 Tucson, AZ 85703
Mail order seeds. Some collected in CA are hard to find.
NURSERIES
| Name | Location | % Native | Associate |
| Desert Gardens Nursery | Phoenix, AZ | ||
| Arid Zone Trees | Queen Creek, AZ | 25 | |
| Arizona Cactus Sales | Chandler, AZ | ||
| Arid Solutions LLC | Phoenix, AZ | 75 | |
| Star Nursery | Peoria, AZ | 75 | |
| Mountain States Wholesale Nursery | Litchfield Park, AZ | 50 | |
| Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed | Flagstaff, AZ | 75 | |
| Flagstaff Native Plant Nursery | Flagstaff, AZ | 75 | |
| Sinagua Nursery | Flagstaff, , AZ | ||
| Kelly Green Trees, Inc. | Marana, AZ | 50 | |
| Plants for the Southwest | Tucson, AZ | 25 | |
| Wildlands Restoration / Coronado Heights Nursery | Tucson, AZ | 75 | |
| DesertTrees Nursery | Tuscon, AZ | 50 | |
| Native Seeds/SEARCH | Tucson, AZ | 100 | |
| Southwestern Native Seeds | Tucson, AZ | ||
| Desert Survivors | Tucson , AZ | 75 | |
| Oaks of the Wild West |
| Name | Location | % Native | Associate |
| Desert Gardens Nursery | Phoenix, AZ | ||
| Arid Zone Trees | Queen Creek, AZ | 25 | |
| Arizona Cactus Sales | Chandler, AZ | ||
| Arid Solutions LLC | Phoenix, AZ | 75 | |
| Star Nursery | Peoria, AZ | 75 | |
| Mountain States Wholesale Nursery | Litchfield Park, AZ | 50 |
SEED COMPANIES
| Name | Location | % Native | Associate |
| Seeds Trust-High Altitude Gardens | Cornville, , AZ | ||
| Star Nursery | Peoria, AZ | 75 | |
| Flagstaff Native Plant and Seed | Flagstaff, AZ | 75 | |
| Desert Enterprises | Morristown, AZ | 75 | |
| Wildlands Restoration / Coronado Heights Nursery | Tucson, AZ | 75 | |
| Native Seeds/SEARCH | Tucson, AZ | 100 | |
| Southwestern Native Seeds | Tucson, AZ | ||
| American Desert Plants Inc. | Tucson, AZ | 75 | |
| Oaks of the Wild West | Sierra Vista, AZ | 50 |
Tags: AZ
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Green and FSC Certified Printers- Arizona
Written by Cathy on January 17, 2009 – 8:35 am -
Arizona State Flag
Green Certified Printers in Arizona
- Xpert Print Solutions, LLC 11203 W. Cottonwood Lane Avondale AZ 85392 (603) 300-1904 Commercial Print-General
- Arizona State University Graphic Information Solutions 6075 South Williams Campus Loop West Mesa AZ 85212 (480) 727-1636University Printing Services www.asu.edu
- Alpha Graphics 2120 E. Cambelback Rd. Phoenix AZ (800) 955-6246 Commercial Print-Generalwww.alphagraphics.com
- Alpha Graphics 20910 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 160 Phoenix AZ 85050 (480) 335-1551 Commercial Print-General www.alphagraphics.com
- Artcraft, Inc. 9261 N. 29th Street Phoenix AZ 85028 (602) 482-2685 Commercial Print-Generalwww.artcraftinc.net
- Alpha Graphics 20910 N. Tatum Blvd. Suite 160 Phoenix AZ 85050 (480) 335-1551 Commercial Print-General www.alphagraphics.com
- Century Graphics, Inc. 2960 Grand Ave. Phoenix AZ 85017 (602) 271-4060 Commercial Print-General
- Cereus Graphics Inc. 2950-2 East Broadway Rd. Phoenix AZ 85040 (602) 445-0680 Commercial Print-General www.cereusgraphics.com
- Complete Print Shop, Inc. 3433 W. Earll Drive Phoenix AZ 85017 (602) 437-0207 Commercial Print-Generalwww.completeprintshop.com
- Courier Graphics Inc. 2621 S 37th St. Phoenix AZ 85034 (602) 437-9700 Print Broker
- Heritage Graphics 2926 N. 33rd Ave. Phoenix AZ 85017 (602) 254-5111 Commercial Print-Generalwww.heritagegraphics.com
- O’Neil Printing 366 N. 2nd Ave. Phoenix AZ 85003 (602) 258-7789 Commercial Print-Generalwww.oneilprint.com
- Prisma Graphic Corporation 2937 E. Broadway Rd. Phoenix AZ 85040 (602) 243-5777 Commercial Print-General www.prismagraphic.com
- Steve Woods Printing Company 2205 East University Phoenix AZ 85034 (602) 484-8888 Commercial Print-General www.stevewoodsprinting.com
- Unique Impressions 3327 West Earll Drive Phoenix AZ 85017 (602) 252-7766 Commercial Print-Generalwww.uniquephx.net
- United Printing & Mailing LLC 4833 S 38th St. Phoenix AZ 85040 (602) 276-6162 Commercial Print-Generalwww.ugotmail.com
- Alpha Graphics 4200 N. Scottsdale Rd. Scottsdale AZ 85251 (480) 994-1514 Commercial Print-Generalwww.alphagraphics.com
- Arizona Commercial Printing 16033 N. 77th St Scottsdale AZ 85260 (480) 607-9297 Commercial Print-General www.acp-print.com
- Pride Printing LLC 7501 E Monte Cristo Ave Scottsdale AZ 85260 (480) 921-3806 Commercial Print-Generalwww.prideprinting.com
- Good Impressions Printing 1711 W 17th St. Tempe AZ 85281 (480) 940-9310 Commercial Print-Generalwww.goodimpressions.com
- Ironwood Lithographers 455 S. 52nd St. Tempe AZ 85281 (480) 829-7700 Commercial Print-Generalwww.ironwoodlitho.com
- Alpha Graphics 4951 E. Grant Rd. Suite 111Tucson AZ (800) 955-6246 Commercial Print-Generalwww.alphagraphics.com
- Alpha Graphics 2500 N. Coyote Dr. Tucson AZ (800) 955-6246 Commercial Print-Generalwww.alphagraphics.com
- Alpha Graphics 7306 N. Oracle Rd. Tucson AZ (800) 955-6246 Commercial Print Generalwww.alphagraphics.com
Tags: AZ
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Eco Friendly Dry Cleaners- Arizona
Written by Cathy on December 7, 2008 – 2:15 pm -- EPA has a PDF list of drycleaners that use two alternative methods – wet cleaning and CO2 cleaning.
- FINDCO2.com
- Green Earth Cleaning
- Hangers Dry Cleaners
- Earth 911
- No Dry Clean
Delia’s Cleaners 1320 Priest St. Tempe, AZ 85283 Phone: 602-897-2576 Phone: 310-820-0469
Organic Dry Cleaners located in Phoenix, AZ, has two full service locations to serve the greater phoenix market. Organic Dry Cleaners is now offering FREE Pick-up & Delivery! Organic Dry Cleaners uses hydrocarbon also known as Ecosolv. Ecosolv is an alternative to Perc. Organic Dry Cleaners is switching to CO2 and Wet cleaning in the near future. As of right now Ecosolv is the greenest dry cleaning in the state of AZ. Organic Cleaners saves you gas and your time with FREE Pick-up & Delivery. One van compared to 100 plus cars driving to the cleaners every week. Thus cutting down on emissions! Please feel free to call or email for any additional info. Franchising opportunities avaliable. info@organicdrycleaners.com 480-585-3936 or 602-265-1298
Tags: AZ
Posted in Arizona | 1 Comment »
Litter Resources- AZ
Written by Cathy on October 22, 2008 – 9:08 am -

Arizona Litter Resources
- Don’t Trash Arizona (AzLitter.org)
- Arizona Clean and Beautiful LITTER HOTLINE 1-877-3-LITTER Report on Line
- 315-336-3950
Arizona Clean and Beautiful
Ms. Mary Lynn Kelly
Project Coordinator
Phoenix, AZ 85004
Email: kellymlv@aol.com
Web Site: www.arizonacleanandbeautiful.org
Phone: 602.262.2532
Keep Casa Grande Beautiful
Mrs. Shayla Butler
Coordinator
Casa Grande, AZ 85222
Email: sbutler@ci.casa-grande.az.us
Phone: 520.421.8760
Keep Phoenix Beautiful
Mr. Tom Waldeck
Executive Director
Phoenix, AZ
Email: tom@keepphxbeautiful.org
Web site: http://www.keepphxbeautiful.org
Phone: 602.534.5114
Keep Prescott Beautiful
Ms. Connie Tucker
Executive Director
Prescott, AZ 86302
Email: connie.tucker@cityofprescott.net
Phone: 928.777.1116
Kingman Clean City Commission
Mr. Richard Ruggles
Coordinator
Kingman, AZ 86401
Email: rruggles@ci.kingman.az.us
Web Site: http://www.ci.kingman.az.us
Phone: 928.753.8130
Scottsdale Pride
Mr. Rob Millar
Citizen Liasion
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
Email: rmillar@scottsdaleaz.gov
Web Site: http://www.ci.scottsdale.az.us
Phone: 480.312.7251
Tags: AZ
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Green- Eco Blogs and Websites- Arizona
Written by Cathy on September 29, 2008 – 1:31 pm -Arizona Green Resources
Arizona
- A Green Arizona — A GreenArizona.org is a unique concept to help Arizona go green!
- Arizona Gas Prices
- AZ Central
- Arizona Registrar of Contractors
- Arizona Conservation Partnership
- AzSustainability
- Arizona Earth First
- Coconino County Building Program
- Sustainable Arizona
- USGBC- Arizona Chapter
Flagstaff
Phoenix
- Phoenix Green Chamber of Commerce Our mission is to promote the success of businesses committed to environmental and social responsibility. In the next month we will be rolling-out a new website that will be a resource for businesses, non-profits, and individuals looking to make an impact.
- Phoenix Green Homes
- Save Phoenix- ( www.savephoenix.org) Environmental organization with an economic conscience. The goal is to improve quality of life around the United States by reducing air pollution with community involvement and sensible, realistic policies
- Scottsdale Green Building Program
Sedona
Tucson
- A.K.A. Green (Retail Green Building Store)
- House of Straw This load-bearing straw bale house was built by me, Carolyn Roberts, consultant Jon Ruez, and many friends on evenings and weekends, using natural (straw bale walls, earthen plasters, earthen floor) and recycled materials wherever possible. We passed 23 county inspections. It’s an incredibly sturdy, beautiful and well-insulated house that will last for many years and only cost $50,000 to build (land not included). The straw walls offer insulation from the summer heat, while the earthen plasters and floor give thermal mass to maintain an even interior temperature. A well-insulated ceiling helps, too. The south-facing sunroom heats my home in the winter. I can collect 500 gallons of rainwater in a 1/2 inch rain. A hand-madesolar water heater with a small tankless heater as backup provides all my hot water. My electric bills average $35 per month year-round (no gas service here).
- Tucson Greener Cleaners Greener Cleaners is a licensed and insured small business in Tucson that specializes in residential and commercial cleaning. We only utilize products that are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
- Mrs Green Goes Mainstream Mrs. Green Goes Mainstream is an all-green talk radio show broadcast every Saturday at 12:05 PST on KNST 790 AM, and can be heard live streaming atwww.knst.com. Mrs. Green interviews exciting and fun guests from all over the country covering every green topic you can imagine: solar, fashion, food, gardening, school programs, alternative fuel, organic wines, green golf courses, sustainability. It’s all on the list! Bringing her passion and energy to the show, Mrs. Green asks “what if living green can be fun?” Listeners from all over the country can call in to talk to Mrs. Green to ask.
- Sustainable Tucson The purpose of Sustainable Tucson is to facilitate an inclusive, dynamic community-building process that ensures economic prosperity, social vibrancy, and ecological health.
- Tucson Building Codes
- Technicians for Sustainability Our mission is to help you translate your environmental values into a practical reality. We install high-quality, clean, renewable energy systems and rainwater catchment systems built to last. Our goal is to ensure that southern Arizona’s natural resources are used efficiently and with respect for present and future needs. Committed to walking our talk, we live with the systems we install, make fuel-efficient transportation choices, and strive to do business with companies that hold values, standards and ethics in line with ours.
Tags: AZ
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Eco Friendly Cabinets- Arizona
Written by Cathy on August 18, 2008 – 1:45 pm -Eco Friendly Cabinets in Arizona
These are probably not all the locations to find Green and Non Toxic Cabinetry in Arizona, but it is a good place to start to look.
Cabinets by C and F 3245 N Arizona Ave Ste. 5 Chandler 480.833.0561
Architectural and Environmental Assoc 3955 Lake Mary Rd Flagstaff 928-214-000
Kitchen Solvers of Phoenix929 West Port Au Prince Lane Phoenix 602-768-0274
Natural Territory 15816 N. Greenway Hayden Loop, 300 Scottsdale 480-998-2700
A.K.A. Green 8100 E. Indian School Rd. Scottsdale
Originate 526 N 9th Ave Tucson 520.792.4207
Tags: AZ
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Eco Shoes- Arizona
Written by Cathy on August 17, 2008 – 3:19 pm -Prescott
Peace of My Heart 212 W Gurley, Prescott 96301 928.445.4243
Tags: AZ
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Reclaimed Wood and Salvage Yards- Arizona
Written by Cathy on July 22, 2008 – 5:45 pm -FSC Timber- Reclaimed Wood-Used Building Materials-Salvage Yards.
Eagar
- Arizona Structural Laminators 200 W Central Ave Eagar, AZ 85925 928.333.5501-FSC Wod
Flagstaff
- Eric Building Supply 2112 N West Street Flagstaff 86004 Phone: 928-774-3732
- Lumbermens 1200 E Butler Ave Flagstaff, AZ 86001 928.779.3381-FSC Wood
Gilbert
- B.C.S. Enterprises, Inc 1275 W Houston Avenue Gilbert 85233 Phone: 480-633-830
Glendale
- Salvage Depot Inc.5701 W San Miguel Glendale 85301 Phone: 623-680-4874
Mesa
- Al’s Building Materials and Supplies 9733 E Main Street Mesa 85207 Phone: 480-986-4909
- Stardust Building Supplies 1720 W Broadway Mesa 85202 480.668.0566
Ft. Mohave
- Lumbermens 8858 Hwy 95 Mohave Valley, AZ 86440 928.788.3501-FSC Wood
Lake Haavasu
- Lumbersmens 694 Lake Havasu Ave N, Lake Havasu, AZ 86403 928.866.4061-FSC Wood
Payson
- Lumbermens E Hwy 260 Payson, AZ 85541 928.474.5218-FSC Wood
Prescott
- Habitat Home Supply 215 W Leroux Street Prescott 86303 928-771-1777
- Kuhles Services LLC 219 E Navajo Drive Prescott 86301 928-445-8446
Prescott Valley
- Lumbermens 6601 E 2nd St Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 928.773.1221 FSC Wood
Phoenix
- A-Cal Wrecking Company-13443 B 20th St, Phoenix, AZ 85022
- Superior Hardwoods 616 S 55th Ave #101, Phoenix, AZ 85043 602.353.8008-FSC Wood
- Atwell Salvage & Demolition 3001 W Pima Street, Phoenix 85009 602-484-730
- Bowen Poles and Lumber 22402 N Black Canyon Hwy Phoenix Phone: 602-993-6350
- Breinholt Contracting 2915 W Pima Street Phoenix 602-322-1100
- Dickens Quality Demolition, LLC 1146 N 19th Avenue Phoenix 95009 602-206-9979
- Stardust Building Supplies 4240 E W Cameback Rd Phoenix 85019 480.668.0566
- Valley of the Sun HFH ReStore Phoenix 85036 602-268-9022
Sedona
- Lumbermens 2385 W Hwy 89A Sedona, AZ 86336 928.282.7174-FSC Wood
Show Low
- Lumbermens 1300 N 16th St Showlow AZ 85901 928.537.2907-FSC Wood
Snowflake
- Lumbermens 1701 S Main St Snowflake, AZ 85937 928.536.4184-FSC Wood
Tucson
- Avitia Demolition 1321 N Camino De Juan Tucson 520-622-3366
- B&C Contractors Inc. 1324 W El Caminito Place Tucson 85705 20-888-2681
- Barnett & Shore Contractors 819 W Silverlake Road Tucson 85713 520-791-0286
- Catclaw Contractors- 10519 E Tanque Verde Rd, Tucson, AZ 85749
- Gerson’s Used Building Materials 1811 S Park Avenue Tucson 520-624-8585
- Old Pueblo Adobe-9353 N Casa Grande Hwy, Tucson, AZ, 85713
- Old Pueblo Remodelers 9353 N Casa Grande Highway, Tucson 520-744-9268
- ReStore Community Closet- (www.tmmfs.org) 2958 E 22nd St. Tucson, AZ 85713
- Taylor Demolition and Recycling-2140 S Freeway, Tucson, AZ 85713
Tags: AZ
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