The Sedona City Council meeting held on June 11, 2025, focused on sustainability initiatives and waste management efforts within the community. The meeting began with a report on the city's recycling progress, highlighting the collection of over 1,700 pounds of cardboard and paper, which is being processed through Sedona Recycles.

A significant portion of the discussion centered around the Big Belly project, which involves the use of smart waste receptacles. Since their installation in July 2022, these receptacles have facilitated the collection of over 8,000 pounds of recycling and more than 16,000 pounds of waste. The data collected indicates an estimated total of 289,044 pounds of waste diverted from landfills, representing a 2.8% diversion rate, a notable improvement from previous efforts.

The council acknowledged the support received from the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) through a grant that enabled the procurement of recycling receptacles. The last report for this grant was submitted on April 30, 2025, with quarterly updates provided to ADEQ.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the appointment of a local representative, Sarah, to the Arizona Recycling Advisory Committee. This committee plays a crucial role in guiding recycling efforts across the state, and her involvement is seen as a positive step for Sedona's influence in state-level recycling initiatives.

During the public comment section, a resident raised concerns regarding the effectiveness of single-stream recycling systems, referencing the GrayWolf facility. The council expressed interest in gathering more information about GrayWolf's operations to better understand their recycling processes.

Another resident, John Thompson, emphasized the need for the council to address sustainability and climate change more urgently. He noted the absence of discussions regarding carbon emissions and greenhouse gases in the meeting materials and urged the council to focus on policy development alongside project reviews. He also mentioned the importance of the composting initiative and the need for a centralized approach to gauge community interest before expanding the program.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further explore these sustainability topics and enhance community engagement in environmental initiatives. The council plans to continue discussions on climate action and waste management strategies in future meetings.