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Green gift ideas, Mesa planet heroes, sustainability news, and more!
Planet-Friendly Holiday Ideas
Read our December Sustainability Savings Tip [PDF] where Sustainability Santa shares ways to keep the holidays merry, bright, and easier on the planet. Learn what items are naughty or nice.
Here are some additional Sustainability Santa ideas:
- The Store at Mesa Arts Center is an artists cooperative gallery, and great place to find one-of-a-kind art and unique gifts by local artists. Learn more.
- Landscape Nursery Gift. We’ve got lots of great nurseries in Mesa, like Treeland, Greenfield Citrus Nursery, A&P, and Summer Winds.
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- Books about Make-it-Yourself Natural Cleaners. One of my favorites is The Organically Clean Home by Becky Rapinchuk. Include a good quality spray bottle with the book for a great gift combination.
- Nature or Earth-Friendly Books for Youth. Here are some great titles, The Lorax, We Are Here: Notes for Living On Planet Earth, Bee & Me, Touch the Earth, Follow the Moon Home, We Planted a Tree, How to Build an Insect (local author). Oh, and for amazing non-fiction, fun books about southwest science and nature, try any title from local author Conrad J. Storad.
- Compost Crank. Hands down my favorite garden tool. Mine has lasted over 20 years and helps keep my compost turned and aerated. It’s made by a company in Tucson called Lotech Products.
- Water Harvesting Books. Give the gift of knowledge to plant the rain and grow more sustainably from Brad Lancaster. Purchase directly from the author at this site.
- Gift Ideas That Keep On Saving. Find great ideas like smartphone-friendly irrigation controllers, landscape books, and more on this Water – Use It Wisely approved holiday wish list.
Electronics are a common holiday gift! Looking for a new laptop, desktop computer, or television? See our Mesa Heroes story below. When you purchase refurbished - like new- equipment, you’ll also be helping the environment. What to do with your old, but still functional units? Learn more under the "Don't Throw It Away" heading.
REVIVE IT (& ER2)
Revive IT was established in 2007 and as the name implies, they are breathing new life into technology hardware that is destined for the landfill. They get their inventory from their sister firm ER2 – Electronic Responsible Recyclers – who provides IT asset disposal services for large Fortune 1000 companies.
With a local presence in Mesa and Phoenix, as well as at two national fulfillment centers, the company is reducing the demand for new products. They work with many schools and businesses who are needing to acquire high-quality products with limited resources. Choosing refurbished can help these organizations stretch their technology budget.
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But individual consumers can also take advantage of what Revive IT offers. When you purchase a recycled product, you are reducing pollution and energy consumption that goes along with manufacturing a new product. It also diminishes the need to extract raw materials from the earth.
Visit the store or their website and you’ll see row after row of like-new products – laptops, desktops, monitors, Apple products, tablets, televisions – but what might really catch your eye are the prices. You’ll get a completely refurbished product for a fraction of what you’d pay when purchasing new. They also offer new products if you prefer that option.
So, whether you choose refurbished or new, buying from Revive IT helps them continue their mission of creating a better planet. You can purchase in-store at 730 E. Southern Ave. or from their websites:
- Find what is available for purchase at their local stores in Mesa and Phoenix. These stores require you to pick up your products.
- Visit their national website for a wider selection of computers and associated hardware, and these products are eligible for shipping.
Recycle Right Wizard This is such a fun tool. Just type in the waste material you’re wondering about. The Wizard will tell you if an item is or is not recyclable. Better than that, it will also advise you of additional safe and appropriate options for disposal.
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Mesa’s household hazardous materials facility
Our facility is open Wed-Sat from 7 a.m. to noon (closed Sat., Dec 25 and Sat. Jan 1). Items accepted include paint, automotive fluids, propane tanks, chemicals, tires, appliances, electronics, and more. The link provides the location and all the details. We also have a Swap Shop.
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AZ StRUT (AZ Students Recycling Used Technology) And now - what to do with your old electronics? If they are beyond use or repair, we will accept those items at our household hazardous materials facility for recycling. But here's a really fun alternative, donate them to AZ StRUT. This non-profit takes all types of electronics, working or not, and refurbishes them to provide computers to Title 1 schools and community non-profit organizations. If they cannot use the items you donate, they will recycle it responsibly. Your donations are tax deductible. Find them at 1720 W. Broadway Rd, #101 (right next to Stardust Building Supplies). Note that Staples and Best Buy also recycle electronics.
Stardust Building Supplies- Mesa This non-profit operates two reuse centers for home improvements that sell gently used, salvaged, and surplus building materials at affordable prices. Additionally, they provide deconstruction services that salvage building materials, divert waste from landfills, and support sustainability in the community. They accept working appliances, lighting and electrical, cabinets, plumbing, hardware and more. Mesa location: 1720 W. Broadway.
Goodwill Donation Centers Will accept all items that are in working condition, contain all of their pieces and parts, and are free of stains and rips. This is the best way to ensure that your used items do the most good. Drive through drop-off makes it even easier to donate. Sites are located throughout Mesa. Don’t forget to shop there too.
TREE-CYCLE! ARE YOU DONE WITH THE HOLIDAYS ON DECEMBER 26? No worries. Mesa’s Christmas Tree Recycling Program starts on Dec. 26 and runs through Jan. 16. You can “Treecycle” by bringing your tree to free drop-off locations. Collected trees are taken to the Salt River Landfill and chipped into nutrient-rich mulch.
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Earth911 If you have an unusual item like old carpeting, check into this site for listings of companies in the area that may accept them.
Mark Your Calendar!
Now through Jan. 2: Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa. Celebrate the holiday season with Merry Main Street in downtown Mesa through Jan. 2. Ride the Mesa Santa Express on our special Light Rail car, enjoy visits with Santa, and skate on the winter wonderland ice rink (see live web cam).
Saturdays: Downtown Mesa Farmers Market
Each Saturday from 8 am to noon, guests have the opportunity to explore the city, experience public and contemporary art, and engage with the community while shopping for fresh breads, vegetables and more. Located on the Mesa Arts Center property in the heart of Downtown Mesa. Closed Christmas Day and New Years Day.
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Dec. 14, 11 am-12:30 pm: Get Plugged In: TE Activator's Guide to Electric Vehicles This Tuesday Webinar series will cover all topics related to transportation electrification (TE). All AZ residents and EV enthusiasts are welcome to join this informational session presented by SRP and City of Phoenix. Items discussed will include how EVs work, charging and technology, vehicle performance and ranges, and environmental and economic benefits.
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Jan. 22, 2-3:30 pm: Living Green: Mesa Water Sources, How We Use It, and Ways To Save It
Get your questions answered about the City of Mesa’s water supplies, what we are doing to manage our water resources, and how we use water in day-to-day operations.
We’ll provide you with the tools and our best techniques to reduce your water use both indoors and in your landscape. You’ll save water and money too. Each participant will get landscape booklets and a water conservation kit.
The program will include a short overview of the City’s Climate Action Plan and our commitment to making Mesa a greener community. Presenters include Brian Draper from City of Mesa Water Resources and Donna DiFrancesco from Environmental Management & Sustainability. Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road.
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City of Mesa and ASU Partner on a Project With a Goal of Zero Waste Water Check out this story about a collaboration between the City of Mesa and ASU on a project involving algae cultivation to reduce greenhouse emissions and create energy and other valuable products.
Arizona Sustainability Alliance Plants 150 Trees in West Mesa
Thanks to a grant from the Arbor Day Foundation's Community Resilience Grant program in partnership with Bank of America, tree plantings in west Mesa schools and parks will help strengthen vulnerable neighborhoods against the impacts of a changing climate.
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City of Mesa Footprint for the Future Community Survey
It is time to make your voice heard! The Footprint for the Future Community Survey is live now through December 17! This survey is the next major public input phase of the two planning efforts to create Mesa’s Footprint for the Future. Help shape the future of your community by taking a few minutes to fill it out! This is your chance to provide feedback on what you want to see in your community. Your input will help determine the future development of Mesa community parks, public spaces, recreation programs, and facilities, as well as how to implement Mayor and Council initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build resilience in our community, and address the negative outcomes of climate change. Take the Survey in English or Spanish.
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Mesa Urban Garden is a beautiful community garden located near downtown Mesa at 212 E. 1st Ave. Garden beds leases are available for the public. Here's their holiday wish list: Bagged leaves and grass clippings for their compost bins, books for the Little Free Library, volunteers with carpentry skills to repair the ADA raised bed, shade-sail installation for the patio area.
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Participate In Maricopa County's Propane Fire Pit Program Get a $75 voucher to convert your wood burning fire pit to propane. In Maricopa County, a combination of wood burning and stagnant weather conditions can create poor air quality during the winter season. In an effort to reduce smoke produced…
Clean Air Make More Learn when it’s NOT OK To burn. Sign up for alerts so you’ll know just when the time is right to light your fire...
December Landscape Watering Reminder Rain! We finally got a nice winter rain. Did you know that our last significant rain was in early October? If you haven’t already done so, use the 'off' 'stop' or 'rain' setting on your controller to stop the watering cycle without disturbing your programs. You can find more information and rainfall data maps at Maricopa County Flood Control.
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Fun ideas for getting outdoors over the Holidays:
Desert Arroyo Park, 9320 E McKellips Rd. This beautiful 58-acre parcel of native desert uplands is located at the NE corner of McKellips and Ellsworth Roads. This passive park takes full advantage of the site’s natural desert landscape.
Park of the Canals, 1710 N Horne. This hidden gem of 31 acres got its name because it is the location of prehistoric (Hohokam period), historic, and modern canals. There is also a playground and botanical garden walk at the site.
Desert Trails Park, 2955 N Recker Road, includes a series of biking trails, a pump track, and a kids’ skills track. The trails consist of a ¾-mile perimeter trail for hiking and non-motorized bike use.
 Monarch Haven & Reading Sanctuary, 635 N Power Road. This new pocket park at Red Mountain Library, was created not only for Monarchs & other butterflies, but for our community members as a contemplative place to read, learn, & enjoy nature. Find it in the NE portion of the parking lot. The park includes a labyrinth and more.
Thank you for being a subscriber this year and for all of your efforts to live a greener lifestyle! Be sure to sign up for our monthly landscape watering eNewsletter. These alerts notify subscribers of monthly adjustments to their irrigation frequency, current weather situations, and other landscape tips. See this month's news. To sign up, just put your email in the box where it says "Subscribe to Updates," (the box may be in the upper right corner, or at the bottom of your screen depending on your device). When you get to the eNews listing, check the 'Landscape Watering Reminder' box under the 'Water Conservation & Sustainability' heading. And please consider following us on Twitter.
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Citywide Info:
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Find City updates, data, and helpful relief programs and resource links. City departments are following established protocol and using appropriate precautionary measures in providing services to our residents and businesses.
Climate Action Plan Survey: This is one of many ways you can partner with the City of Mesa and share your climate action ideas, priorities, and concerns to help guide a collective vision for our community.
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