Green gift ideas, get outside, what to do with your old stuff, sustainability news, and more!

$$ This Month's $ustainability $avings Tip $$

🎅 Planet-Friendly Holiday Ideas Check out our December Sustainability Savings Tip, where Sustainability Santa shares easy ways to keep the holidays merry, bright, and a little easier on the planet. Learn what items are naughty or nice. Here are a few extra Sustainability Santa-approved ideas:  - Landscape Nursery Gift Card. Mesa is home to some great nurseries, including Treeland, Greenfield Citrus Nursery, A&P, and Summer Winds. For an extra thoughtful touch, pair the gift card with a gardening book for inspiration (see our next tip!).

- Desert Landscaping Books. We've put together a list of our top desert gardening books in this Water – Use It Wisely blog. The post also highlights some of our best local authors. 

- Nature or Earth-Friendly Books for Youth. Great reads include, The Lorax, We Are Here: Notes for Living On Planet Earth, Bee & Me, Touch the Earth, Follow the Moon Home, We Planted a Tree, Be a Tree!, How to Build an Insect (local author). Oh, and for fun, Southwest-themed nonfiction, try any title by Conrad J. Storad. 

- Books About Make-it-Yourself Natural Cleaners. One of our favorites is The Organically Clean Home by Becky Rapinchuk. Pair it with a high-quality spray bottle for a simple, practical gift set.

- Compost Crank. Hands down one of our favorite garden tools. It helps turn and aerate compost, lasts for decades, and is made by Lotech Products, a Tucson-based company.

- Gift Ideas That Keep on Saving. From smartphone-friendly irrigation controllers to landscape books and more, find inspiration on our Water – Use It Wisely approved holiday wish list.

- Refurbished Electronics. Looking for an affordable tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or TV? Buying refurbished (like-new) equipment saves money and reduces waste. Check out our local recycler, Revive-IT Online Store.

Don't Throw It Away - Can It Be Reused/Recycled?

The holidays typically mean that you’ll be buying STUFF and being gifted more STUFF. That likely means that you will be deciding to get rid of old STUFF. In fact, household waste generation increases by more than 20% in November and December. Find our advice below: 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 in Mesa's blue barrel. Better than that, it will also advise you of additional safe and appropriate options for disposal.

Mesa’s Household Hazardous Materials Facility Our facility is open Wed-Sat from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. (Holiday closure, Wed.& Thur., Dec. 24 & 25 and Thur., Jan. 1). Items accepted include paint, automotive fluids, propane tanks, chemicals, tires, appliances, electronics, and more (Ilike old string lights). We also have a Swap Shop.

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 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 locations on their website. Note that Staples and Best Buy also recycle electronics.

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. 19. 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 or used for other sustainable purposes.

Stardust Building Supplies, Mesa This nonprofit 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-thru drop-off makes it even easier to donate. Sites are located throughout Mesa. Don’t forget to shop there too.

Art Resource Center (The ARC) Diverts items from the waste stream to be reused for arts, crafts, education, and beyond. Over 95% of materials are zero cost to educators and nonprofits and artists/makers donate what the materials are worth to them. Donors can feel good that their art worthy items are upcycled into the hands of creative community members. Take a tour.

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.

Mesa Climate Action Plan

Mesa's Climate Action Plan focuses on reducing greenhouse gas emissions while advancing strategies that increase sustainability across our community. To do this, we engage residents and businesses in becoming climate-ready through six focus areas: Energy, Heat Mitigation, Air Quality, Water Stewardship, Materials Management, and Food Systems.

This month, we’re spotlighting Materials Management – also known as STUFF! From what we buy to how we reuse, recycle, and reduce waste, our everyday choices make a real difference.

Why Does Creating Less Trash Matter?

Reducing what we send to landfills helps conserve resources and protect our environment. Making and shipping new products uses energy and creates greenhouse gas emissions. Food waste in landfills produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. How Can You Help? Skip single-use purchases and choose items designed to last. Donate or recycle computers and electronics through approved programs. Compost food scraps and yard waste whenever possible. 👉 Learn more about Mesa's Climate Action Plan and how small actions can make a big difference.

Mark Your Calendar!

Shop, Eat, and Play at Merry Main Street in Downtown Mesa

Merry Main Street activities are in full swing in downtown Mesa now through Jan.10. There are numerous opportunities to shop, eat and play! Enjoy: Visits with Santa Santa Paws Winter Wonderland Ice Rink (see live web cam) Holiday Movies at the Mesa City Center Plaza And don't miss the Mesa Temple Christmas Lights. Oh, and there are weekly prizes you could win if you find Bingles, our Gnome on the Roam. Get the details!

Tree Steward Program 

Jan. 24, Tree Steward Informational Session. Becoming a tree steward will teach you the basics of tree planting and care. You will learn about tree benefits like reducing urban heat, improving air quality, attracting wildlife, and more. Two 4.5-hour education sessions will cover a variety of topics. After completing the program, you will be asked to plan, coordinate, and execute tree plantings in Mesa. Sponsored by the Arizona Sustainability Alliance and American Forests. Learn more. Also, check out this video about the program.

Mesa Library Ask A Master Gardener Programs

Jan. 10, 10 a.m. to Noon. Ask A Master Gardener Attend one session or enjoy both! Citrus 101 Workshop: Water and Fertilizer (10-11 a.m.) Learn how to choose the right citrus fertilizers and determine the water and nutrient needs for your specific tree(s) using University of Arizona guidelines. Ask A Master Gardener (11 a.m. to Noon) Wondering when, what, where, and how to plant your Arizona garden? Bring your questions – and even your problem plants – and get expert advice from a Master Gardener. Both programs will be held in the Program Room at Red Mountain Library, 635 N. Power Road.

SRP Shade Tree Workshops - 2026 Schedule - It's HERE!

2026 classes are now open! Get two free shade trees by attending an SRP Shade Tree workshop on Jan. 24 or Feb. 14. SRP is offering desert-adapted shade trees to help lower your home cooling costs and improve air quality without using a lot of water. Learn more.  These are for SRP electric customers only. Are you a City of Mesa Electric Customer? We’re excited to offer our electric customers up to two free, desert-native or desert-adapted shade trees through our Trees Are Cool Initiative! Sat. Feb. 21, 10 a.m. to Noon. Mesa Electric Shade Tree Workshop. Registration is not yet open but learn more. Visit our Trees Are Cool interactive website to learn how reducing energy and planting more trees can contribute to our climate action goals. If you get trees from SRP to plant, please be sure to visit this site to record them on our map.

~ Sustainability & Community News ~

New and Like-New Book Sale at Mesa Public Library Get gift-quality books at amazing prices! Mesa Public Library's annual New and Like-New Book Sale runs until Wednesday, Dec. 31, at the Main Library, 64 E. First St. Prices start at $2.00. All money raised from book sales goes to supporting library programs, improvements and services.

Plant of the Month – Sticks on Fire This colorful succulent gets vibrant orange-red colored tips in winter that are green at the base. In addition to its color, its thin stems and spiky growth habit ensure that it stands out wherever it’s planted. Find our full listing of beautiful desert plants at our Water – Use It Wisely’s Plant of the Month series. Photo: Noelle Johnson (AZ Plant Lady)

The 12 Days of Wayne Tips: Save Water This Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and while we’re busy decking the halls, cooking up feasts, and celebrating with loved ones, it’s also a great time to think about how we can save water. These 12 water-saving tips will help make your holidays a little greener (and your wallet a little happier).

Humor That’s Hotter Than the Planet Did you hear about the power plant that was bad for the environment? He got coal for Christmas. 😂 Laughter might not solve climate change, but it can certainly help us talk about it. 

Calling All Photographers! Enter the WRRC 2025 Photo Contest Do you have an amazing photo that celebrates Arizona water? This photo contest invites photographers to explore the theme, Water in Arizona. This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase how water shapes landscapes, wildlife, and urban life. Hurry, the deadline is December 19th!

Pruning Shrubs the ‘Right’ Way: Let’s Avoid Shearing! This WUIW blog offers good reasons to avoid shearing. Did you know that it reduces water efficiency? Learn more including how to get a new booklet available to share with your HOA.

Groundwater is a Limited Resource Essential for our Water Security This year marks 45 years since the passage of the 1980 Groundwater Management Act, a crucial piece of legislation that established guidelines for sustainable groundwater use...

Latest Arizona Water Blueprint Story Map: 40 Years of Central Arizona Project Water Use Learn more about Arizona's Colorado River water deliveries from 1985-2024 at this online hub of information about Arizona water resources and policy.

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 Get your winter watering schedules, read about frost protection for plants, local Xeriscape demonstration gardens, holiday landscaping book ideas and more. Note: Photo shows what NOT to do.

December Community Engagement Newsletter Learn about upcoming classes from the Resident's Guide to Homeowners Associations series, and lots of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.

Get Out!!

> Fun ideas for getting outdoors over the holidays:

Desert Arroyo Park, 9320 E McKellips Road. 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. This park 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 pocket park at Red Mountain Library was created not only for Monarchs and 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 Living Green!

🌱Thank you for being a subscriber this year and for all you do to live a greener lifestyle! Be sure to sign up for our monthly Landscape Watering eNewsletter, which provides timely reminders on seasonal irrigation adjustments, current weather conditions, and practical landscape tips to help you save water. See this month's news. You can sign up directly for this newsletter by providing your email at this subscriber site. And please consider following us on our Living Green X.

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