2025 Award Recipients

Circular Arizona presented its 2025 awards to individuals and organizations making significant strides in sustainability and circular economy practices during the meeting. The physical awards were crafted from locally collected and recycled plastics from the ASU Circular Living Lab’s Plastics Microfactory. This year’s honorees include:

Business Awards

• Small Business of the Year: Originate Natural Building Materials (Tucson) – Recognized for promoting environmentally responsible building through the use of reclaimed, recycled, and non-toxic materials, as well as its dedication to preserving historical architectural materials and reducing construction waste. Originate’s work blends sustainability with history, showcasing the value of creative reuse in the built environment.

• Large Business of the Year: Amentum Corporation (Chandler) – Honored for implementing exceptional waste diversion initiatives, reducing landfill waste at multiple sites, and launching innovative recycling programs in collaboration with local organizations. Amentum’s initiatives, including garment reuse and electronic waste recycling, set a benchmark for corporate sustainability.

Organizational and Municipal Awards

• Nonprofit of the Year: Phoenix Herpetological Sanctuary (Scottsdale) – Acknowledged for its outstanding food waste reduction and composting initiatives, which minimize landfill contributions and support sustainability in caring for rescued reptiles. Their efforts highlight the intersection of conservation and circular economy principles.

• Municipality of the Year: City of Tucson – Recognized for its leadership in waste diversion, composting programs, and educational outreach, setting an example for other municipalities in Arizona. Tucson’s dedication to circular economy education and community engagement makes it a sustainability leader.

• School of the Year: Rover Elementary School (Tempe) – Celebrated for its Rover Vine school garden initiative in partnership with Rhine Farms, which integrates composting and sustainability education into student learning, fostering environmental stewardship. The program equips students with hands-on experience in sustainability and waste reduction.

Individual Honors

• Individual of the Year: Christian Lee (Town of Queen Creek) – Recognized for his leadership in expanding recycling initiatives, coordinating volunteer efforts, and improving waste diversion programs within the town. His efforts in contamination reduction and community outreach have significantly improved recycling participation.

• Individual of the Year: Amanda Jordan (City of Phoenix) – Honored for her innovative approaches to circular economy solutions, her commitment to sustainable projects, and her influence on policies at local, state, and national levels. Amanda’s expertise and mentorship have inspired circular economy initiatives across multiple jurisdictions.

• Lifetime Member: Ariel LeBarron (City of Phoenix) – Celebrated for her years of dedicated service on Circular Arizona’s Board, including four years as Treasurer, as well as her contributions to sustainability efforts in Phoenix’s food systems. Ariel’s financial stewardship and leadership have strengthened Circular Arizona’s mission and impact.