Navajo County waste-tire program earns ADEQ VESP bronze recognition for sustained compliance

Arizona Department of Environmental Quality recognized Navajo County Public Works with a Voluntary Environmental Stewardship Program (VESP) bronze award for maintaining compliance with environmental rules for three consecutive years for its county waste-tire program.

Public Works staff described operations at two collection sites (Holbrook and Show Low), routine community cleanups and a hauling contract with a crumb-rubber vendor under which the county pays a per-ton fee for removal. Staff reported the county collected 54,268 tires during fiscal year 2024 and said average annual collections over recent years are roughly 60,000 tires. The county also noted it regularly serves tribal governmental areas by providing trailer pickups and event collections when requested.

ADEQ community liaison Manny Bowler described the VESP recognition as a multi-level voluntary recognition program (bronze is awarded for three years of sustained compliance) and noted potential benefits such as pre-notification of inspections and formal recognition. Public Works staff emphasized that state funding (amounts vary by year) is crucial to operate the collection sites and related community cleanup events.

Ending: County staff said the program will continue with state support and partnership with local chapters and tribal governments for collection events; ADEQ urged other entities to nominate successful environmental programs for VESP recognition.