As members of the Arizona Science and Policy Network, AzSPN, I have been advocating with four other graduate students, Miranda Bernard, Levi Helm, Infynity Hill, and Álex Tuñas-Corzón, to improve waste management policy in the state of Arizona.
Over the past few months, we reviewed Arizona’s regulatory framework, interviewed sustainability and recycling coordinators from municipalities across the state, and met with collaborators from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the city of Phoenix to learn more about the challenges Arizona recycling faces. Using this information, we wrote a policy memo with our recommendations, which has been submitted to the Journal of Science Policy and Governance.
On February 6th 2020, we presented our work at the state capitol for the AzSPN’s Science Day event. Science Day aims to bring together scientists and policymakers to work towards a better future for Arizonans. The event began with an exposition where representatives spoke to graduate student groups about environmental, technological, and social issues in Arizona.
As a result of these efforts, we have since met with two members of the House of Representatives, Rep. Mitzi Epstein (D-18) and Rep. Domingo DeGrazia (D-10), who are interested in proposing our recommendations as bills in the next legislative session in 2021. Additionally, I have been invited to join the Arizona Recycling Coalition as a member of the policy committee and asked to act as an expert for legislators to outline possible implications of waste management bills that are being considered in the ongoing session.
Comments