Data Centers Without Waste: Why Tucson Should Require Zero Waste Standards Now

As Tucson considers updates to its development code to accommodate large-scale data centers, the conversation has largely focused on energy use and water consumption.  Those are critical issues—but they are only part of the picture.

There is another impact that is often overlooked: waste.

Behind the image of sleek, server-filled buildings lies a constant stream of materials—packaging, electronics, construction debris, and hazardous components—moving in and out of these facilities. Without clear standards, much of this material may end up at Los Reales Landfill, perpetuating the linear “take-make-waste” system we need to overcome.

The Hidden Waste Footprint of Data Centers

Data centers are not just digital infrastructure—they are material-intensive operations.

Every server installation arrives wrapped in layers of cardboard, plastic film, foam, and pallets. Equipment is upgraded frequently, generating significant volumes of electronic waste. Backup systems rely on batteries and specialized components that require careful handling. Even routine operations—from maintenance to landscaping—produce ongoing waste streams.

Construction adds another layer. Building a large data center can generate thousands of tons of debris, much of which is recoverable—but only if systems are in place to capture it.

Without policy direction, these materials follow the path of least resistance: disposal.

A Missed Opportunity—or a Strategic Advantage

Tucson has an opportunity to get ahead of this issue.

By incorporating zero waste standards into its proposed code amendment, the City can ensure that new data centers are designed and operated with material efficiency in mind from day one. This is not about adding unnecessary burdens—it is about setting clear expectations for responsible development.

Zero waste policies are already being implemented in leading jurisdictions and industries. They are practical, measurable, and increasingly expected as part of modern sustainability frameworks.

For Tucson, the benefits are tangible:

• • Reduced pressure on landfill capacity

• • Lower greenhouse gas emissions from material production and disposal

• • Support for local recycling, reuse, and repair businesses

• • Job creation in circular economy sectors

• • Greater accountability and transparency from large operations

What Zero Waste Standards Look Like

A strong zero waste framework for data centers would include:

• • Clear diversion targets (e.g., 75% within three years, 90% within five years)

• • Construction waste recovery requirements to capture valuable materials

• • Electronics stewardship programs that prioritize reuse, repair, and certified recycling

• • Packaging reduction strategies, including supplier take-back systems

• • Safe handling and recycling of batteries and hazardous components

• • Annual public reporting to ensure transparency and accountability

Just as importantly, these standards should ensure that “diversion” reflects real material recovery—not disposal disguised as recycling.

Getting the Definition Right Matters

Not all waste management pathways are equal.

Processes that convert waste into fuel or energy—often marketed as “advanced recycling”—do not keep materials in circulation. They destroy them. If Tucson is serious about zero waste, its policies must clearly prioritize reuse and material recovery, not disposal under a different name.

This clarity is essential to avoid locking the city into infrastructure that perpetuates waste rather than reducing it.

What Responsible Development Looks Like

Although some data center growth is inevitable in a digital economy, the ongoing surge is driven mainly by market forces rather than community interests.  Without strong policies, communities face high resource use, minimal economic benefits, and lasting environmental harm.  Establishing boundaries and guidelines is essential to prevent communities from becoming inundated by data centers.  

The question is not only about the number of facilities, but also about their location, purpose, and the standards they follow. From a waste management perspective, do these facilities create a system where materials are used once and thrown away, or do they help build a resilient, circular model that keeps resources in use and minimizes landfill waste?

The answer depends on the standards Tucson sets today.

A Simple Step with Long-Term Impact

Including zero waste requirements in the City’s data center code amendment is a straightforward, practical step. It aligns with Tucson’s broader climate goals and ensures that new development reflects the values of the community.

Digital infrastructure should not come with a hidden waste footprint.