Environmental Consulting

As an independent environmental consultant, Wilson is able to assist municipalities, businesses and institutions in implementing waste reduction and recycling programs. From waste audits to recycling implementation plans and education programs, entities can reduce and divert their waste, cut costs and reduce their carbon footprint.

Wilson has spent the last 37 years specializing in the study of municipal solid waste (MSW), and implementing programs in waste reduction and recycling. As Co-director of the University of Arizona Garbage Project he conducted waste generation audits in 17 communities in the U.S., Mexico, Australia and on U.S. Navy surface combat ships as well as archaeological excavations of landfills and dump sites in the U.S. and Canada. While with the Garbage Project he conducted lectures and symposia on MSW issues to local, national and international groups and conventions as well as print and video media.

In 1999 Wilson became the Waste Reduction Planner for the City of Tucson Environmental Services Department. While with the City he was responsible for analysis and planning of solid waste reduction and recycling programs and public education regarding these issues. Programs included the introduction of single-stream ‘Blue Barrel’ curbside recycling collection that increased waste diversion from 9% to 21%. He conducted a small business recycling research and implementation project in Tucson for the U.S. EPA as well as many waste audits of businesses and institutions in order to develop recycling programs reduce their waste, and bottom line. While a member of the Tucson Unified School District ‘Green Team’ he helped the recycling rate expand from 12% to 25% with some school achieving 50% waste reduction. In addition to waste reduction, recycling leads to the reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In Tucson the recycling program has reduced GHG by the equivalent of removing 24,000 cars of the road for one year.

Wilson retired from the City of Tucson in 2009 and is an independent environmental consultant. He is currently a Board of Directors member, as well as E-scrap Collection and Recycling Coordinator for Tucson Clean and Beautiful. He represents the City Council Ward VI Council Member on the Citizens Environmental Services Advisory Committee. Wilson is a member of the State of Arizona Recycling Coalition and was the 2009 recipient of their Lifetime Achievement Award.