activities · 16
what they do
advocacy · 6
- Advocating for Circular Economy Practices Building Material Reuse AdvocacyPromotes and advocates for a circular economy by encouraging product redesign, material reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing initiatives, and improved waste collection and processing systems in Arizona.
- Advocating for Circular Economy and Recycling Building Material Reuse AdvocacyActively promotes recycling by advocating for improved waste collection systems, better processing facilities, and increased public awareness. The organization also fosters a circular economy by encouraging product redesign for longer lifespans, facilitating material reuse and refurbishment, and supporting remanufacturing initiatives.
- Promoting and Advocating for Circular Economy Practices Building Material Reuse AdvocacyActively promotes recycling by advocating for improved waste collection systems, better processing facilities, and increased public awareness, and fosters a circular economy by encouraging product redesign, material reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing initiatives.
- Recognizing Achievements in Sustainability Conservation and Outdoor Heritage AwardsAdministers an annual awards program recognizing individuals and organizations contributing to the circular economy in Arizona. In 2025, awards crafted from locally collected and recycled plastics were presented for achievements in sustainability and circular economy practices.
- Recognizing Circular Economy Contributions Conservation and Outdoor Heritage AwardsAdministers an annual awards program to recognize individuals and organizations for their achievements in sustainability and circular economy practices in Arizona, with awards crafted from locally collected and recycled plastics.
- Recognizing Contributions to the Circular Economy Conservation and Outdoor Heritage AwardsAdministers an annual awards program to recognize individuals and organizations for their achievements in sustainability and circular economy practices in Arizona.
research · 3
- Hosting Educational Webinars Research Dissemination WebinarsHosts a webinar series titled "Researched by Grads" focused on circular economy topics relevant to Arizona.
- Hosting Educational Webinars Research Dissemination WebinarsHosts a webinar series titled "Researched by Grads" focused on circular economy topics in Arizona.
- Hosting Research-Focused Webinars Research Dissemination WebinarsHosts a webinar series titled "Researched by Grads" focused on circular economy topics in Arizona, disseminating research findings to a broader audience.
capacity building · 7
- Awarding Grants and ScholarshipsAwards grants and scholarships annually to individuals and organizations in Arizona to support circular economy initiatives, waste diversion, and environmental sustainability education, with individual grants up to $5,000 and scholarships of $2,500.
- Awarding Grants and ScholarshipsAwards grants and scholarships annually to support circular economy innovation, initiatives, and professional development, including two $2,500 scholarships to Arizona students pursuing environmental sustainability careers. Since the 1990s, nearly $300,000 has been awarded to increase recycling and divert waste from landfills, with recent grants of $5,000 each to Knead Technologies, Inc. and Keep Phoenix Beautiful in 2025.
- Awarding Grants and Scholarships for Circular Economy InitiativesAwards grants and scholarships annually to individuals and organizations in Arizona to support circular economy innovation, projects, and professional development, including specific scholarships for students pursuing environmental sustainability careers and grants for waste diversion and food waste management projects.
- Fostering Collaboration and Education in Circular EconomyConnects diverse stakeholders including industry leaders, academics, students, nonprofits, Tribal Nations, businesses, and local governments to foster learning, innovation, and collaboration on equitable circular solutions through events, newsletters, and digital content, and offers membership options for organizations and student groups.
- Fostering Collaboration and NetworkingConnects professionals, industry leaders, academics, students, nonprofits, Tribal Nations, businesses, and local governments across Arizona to foster learning, innovation, and collaboration on equitable circular solutions through events, newsletters, and digital content.
- Fostering Collaboration and NetworkingFosters an equitable circular economy by connecting Arizonans, including industry leaders, academics, students, nonprofits, Tribal Nations, businesses, and local governments, through innovation, education, and collaboration. This includes engaging over 600 professionals across various sectors through events, newsletters, and digital content.
- Providing Member Resources and Engagement Business Networking & Community EventsOffers tiered organization memberships, including options for student-led sustainability groups, to support participation in circular economy initiatives. Members receive exclusive monthly newsletters featuring grant and award opportunities.
strategies · 18
how they think
Theories of action extracted from this org's own source material. Click any to see the full field of orgs running the same approach.
- Advance circular economy through multi-stakeholder collaboration and networking multi_stakeholder_collaborationThe organization builds and leverages a cross-sector, statewide network to foster innovation, education, and collaboration, connecting stakeholders to advance equitable circular economy solutions through shared learning and leadership development.
- Building Trust through Financial Transparency transparency-for-trustThe organization utilizes financial transparency as a core method to cultivate trust among its members, the community, partners, and supporters, fostering stronger relationships and accountability.
- Building a Circular Economy through Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration and Networking multi_stakeholder_collaborationThe organization actively engages diverse stakeholders across sectors to foster a collaborative network, facilitating learning, leadership development, and the exchange of insights to advance reuse, waste reduction, and broader circular economy solutions in Arizona. This approach leverages collective knowledge and partnerships to drive innovation and sustainable practices.
- Building a Multi-Stakeholder Circular Economy Network multi_stakeholder_collaborationThe organization builds a statewide network by engaging diverse stakeholders across multiple sectors to foster learning, collaboration, and leadership development, thereby advancing reuse, waste reduction, and broader circular economy solutions in Arizona.
- Drive measurable waste reduction through targeted grantmaking and project accountability grantmaking_for_waste_reductionUses a grant program that funds initiatives with measurable outcomes in waste reduction and circular economy advancement, requiring concrete results such as reduced landfilling, supported by transparent selection processes like blind review.
- Fair and Impartial Scholarship Selection blind_review_selectionThe organization ensures fairness and impartiality in scholarship recipient selection through a blind scoring process, complemented by safeguards against conflicts of interest.
- Fostering Member Engagement and Information Exchange information_sharing_and_networkingThe organization supports its members by providing networking opportunities, educational events, and access to expert insights and resources, thereby keeping them informed on the latest trends and fostering sustainable practices within Arizona's circular economy.
- Grantmaking for Measurable Waste Reduction and Circular Economy Initiatives grantmaking_for_waste_reductionThe organization provides grants specifically for projects and programs that demonstrate a measurable reduction in landfilled materials or contribute directly to Arizona's circular economy, thereby incentivizing and funding tangible progress towards its goals.
- Grantmaking for Waste Reduction and Circular Economy Initiatives grantmaking_for_waste_reductionThe organization provides grants to fund projects and programs that result in a measurable reduction of landfilled materials or contribute to Arizona's circular economy, supporting tangible initiatives that align with its broader vision.
- Investing in Education and Applied Research for Circular Economy Advancement education_investment_for_circular_economyThe organization invests in students and graduate researchers to produce and present applied research on circular economy solutions, and supports individuals pursuing careers or activism in environmental sustainability. This strategy aims to build intellectual capital and future leadership for an equitable circular economy.
- Investing in Education and Research for Circular Economy education_investment_for_circular_economyThe organization invests in students and engages graduate researchers to produce and present applied research on circular economy solutions, and implements place-based initiatives in workforce development and education to advance an equitable circular economy.
- Promote circular economy principles through education, research, and workforce development education_investment_for_circular_economyInvests in applied research, graduate researchers, student career development, and public education via webinars and place-based initiatives to build long-term capacity and innovation in Arizona’s circular economy.
- Promote systemic circularity through advocacy and principled frameworks circular_economy_principlesAdvocates for recycling and broader circular economy models by promoting design for longevity, reuse, remanufacturing, and resource efficiency as core economic strategies to eliminate waste and keep materials in use.
- Promoting Circular Economy Principles circular_economyThe organization promotes the circular economy as an economic model to eliminate waste and keep resources in use, advocating for principles such as design for longevity, reuse, refurbishing, remanufacturing, recycling, and resource efficiency.
- Promoting and Implementing Circular Economy Principles circular_economyThe organization promotes and implements a comprehensive circular economy model that emphasizes eliminating waste and keeping resources in use through design for longevity, reuse, refurbishing, remanufacturing, recycling, and resource efficiency. This includes advocating for recycling as a key process within this broader framework.
- Recognizing and Incentivizing Circular Economy Leadership awards_programThe organization uses an awards program to recognize and celebrate schools, municipalities, businesses, nonprofits, and individuals who demonstrate dedication, leadership, and successful implementation of circular economy practices, thereby incentivizing broader adoption and showcasing best practices.
- Streamlined Membership Administration for Sustained Participation streamlined_administration_modelThe organization employs a simplified and centralized membership administration model to ensure sustained organizational participation, even in the face of staff turnover, by reducing administrative burden and increasing accessibility.
- Strengthen circular economy adoption through recognition, transparency, and member support transparency-for-trustEncourages widespread adoption of circular practices by recognizing leadership via awards, maintaining financial and operational transparency to build trust, and providing members with resources, information, and professional development opportunities.
named programs · 6
what they call their work
Circular Arizona Awards
Annual recognition program celebrating leaders and organizations advancing circular economy practices in Arizona
Circular Arizona Grants
Competitive grant program funding on-the-ground circular economy projects; funded by named sponsors
Circular Arizona Scholarships
Named scholarships supporting emerging leaders, particularly students and early-career professionals, in the circular economy
Circular Arizona Webinars
Statewide educational webinars on circular economy topics, supported by sponsorships and open to members and the public
Circular Economy Symposium
Flagship annual event convening leaders across Arizona to advance circular economy solutions through networking, education, and recognition
Northern and Southern Connection Events
Regional convenings that engage local leaders in Northern and Southern Arizona on circular economy initiatives
relationships · 16
who they work with
- ASU Circular Living Lab’s Plastics Microfactory Partner — Crafted physical awards from locally collected and recycled plastics.
- Amentum Corporation Partner — Awarded Large Business of the Year in 2025 for implementing waste diversion initiatives and innovative recycling programs.
- Arizona State University Partner — Student recipient of Circular Arizona scholarship from this institution.
- Charity Navigator Network — Rated by Charity Navigator, indicating participation in its evaluation network.
- Circular Arizona Network — ARIZONA RECYCLING COALITION operates as part of the Circular Arizona network.
- Circular Arizona Network — Arizona Recycling Coalition operates as Circular Arizona, a network convening municipal, government, nonprofit, academic, student, and for-profit organizations.
- City of Tucson Partner — Awarded Municipality of the Year in 2025 for leadership in waste diversion, composting programs, and educational outreach.
- Keep Phoenix Beautiful Partner — Received a $5,000 grant in 2025 to launch a HomeBiogas project.
- Knead Technologies, Inc. Partner — Received a $5,000 grant in 2025 to expand its food waste management pilot in Phoenix.
- Let’s Go Compost Partner — Named Circular Arizona’s 2024 Nonprofit of the Year.
- Originate Natural Building Materials Partner — Awarded Small Business of the Year in 2025 for promoting environmentally responsible building and reducing construction waste.
- Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary Partner — Awarded Nonprofit of the Year in 2025 for outstanding food waste reduction and composting initiatives.
- Rover Elementary School Partner — Awarded School of the Year in 2025 for its Rover Vine school garden initiative, integrating composting and sustainability education.
- The Desert Refillery Partner — Named Circular Arizona’s Small Business of the Year 2024
- Town of Queen Creek Partner — Received a grant in 2024 to expand its smart public space recycling program.
- University of Arizona Partner — Student recipient of Circular Arizona scholarship from this institution.