Title
Request Retroactive Authorization to Apply for, Accept and Disburse Funding from Arizona Department of Environmental Quality Recycling Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2026-27 (Ordinance S-53284) - Citywide
Description
Request to retroactively authorize the City Manager, or the City Manager's designee, to apply for, and if awarded, accept and enter into related agreements for grant funding from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) through its Recycling Grant Program’s Waste Reduction Assistance (WRA) Grant. If awarded, grant funding will be used to host two community drop-off events for Phoenix residents for the safe disposal of lithium-ion batteries. Further request authorization for the City Treasurer to accept, and the City Controller to disburse, all funds related to this item, including funds to subrecipients associated with the project. The total grant funds applied for will not exceed $20,000.
Report
Summary
The ADEQ Recycling Grant Program promotes recycling and source reduction through public education and information on proper solid waste disposal and includes the WRA category. The WRA supports community initiatives aimed at significantly reducing solid waste output. Funding is available through the Arizona Solid Waste Recycling Act of 1990 and is derived from landfill disposal fees. ADEQ is awarding up to $1 million in recycling grant funding for fiscal year 2027. Applications opened August 4, 2026, and closed September 29, 2026.
The City of Phoenix Public Works Department (PWD) applied to the ADEQ Recycling Grant Program on September 29, 2026, seeking funding to host two community lithium-ion battery collection events. The total grant funding requested through this application is $20,000. If awarded, PWD, in collaboration with Kary Environmental Services (KES) and the Phoenix Fire Department, will host two community drop-off events between January and June 2027. These events build upon the successful October 2025 collection event held in collaboration with the Phoenix Fire Department, which collected 2,150 pounds of lithium-ion batteries. The primary goal is to educate residents on the proper disposal of lithium-ion batteries and provide safe disposal opportunities for the public. The proposed project will also test pathways for establishing safe collection systems for lithium-ion batteries through collaboration with local service providers to increase recycling, reuse and proper disposal. Due to limited public awareness and disposal options for lithium-ion batteries, PWD has experienced an increase in fires in collection vehicles, recycling centers, transfer stations and solid-waste facilities, often necessitating a Fire Department response.
For this reason, and to strengthen community safety, the Phoenix Fire Department's Fire Prevention Division will support the project by expanding public outreach, assisting with safe on-site storage and collection practices and coordinating with KES and other partners to ensure compliance with the Phoenix Fire Code. Fire Prevention will also work with the Fire Department's Community Risk Education group to promote safe charging, storage and disposal of lithium-ion batteries during inspections and community interactions, and will help collect data related to battery-fire incidents to support event site selection and grant reporting. Through this collaboration, the proposed project will not only provide safe disposal opportunities for residents but also ensure the City continues to respond effectively to community demand and emerging fire risks associated with lithium-ion batteries.
The PWD is requesting retroactive authorization to submit the grant application for ADEQ’s Recycling Grant Program WRA category due to the short application timeline. If authorization is not approved, the grant application will be withdrawn. If awarded, funds are anticipated to be available in early 2027 and must be expended by June 30, 2027. The PWD is also requesting authorization to enter into agreements necessary to accept and administer the grant funding if awarded.
Financial Impact
The Public Works Department is requesting up to $20,000 in grant funding. No local match is required.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is submitted by Assistant City Manager Lori Bays, Deputy City Manager Alan Stephenson and the Fire and Public Works departments.