TPWP Roadshow Edition: Robert van den Akker Episode

Title: Public Works in the Fastest-Growing City in America Description: In this roadshow episode of The Public Works Podcast, we sit down with Robert van den Akker from the City of Buckeye, Arizona — one of the fastest-growing cities in the country — recorded live at the APWA PWX Conference in Houston, TX. Robert shares his unconventional career path from aspiring medical student to environmental quality professional, and dives deep into the unique challenges of managing stormwater, solid waste, and air quality in the Sonoran Desert. From running a street sweeper program in a dust-prone desert climate to encouraging residents to recycle by showing them real-world results with local manufacturer, Robert covers the full scope of public works in a booming municipality. They also discuss staffing and retention strategies — including an internal apprenticeship and job-shadowing program — how Buckeye's landfill operations differ due to low rainfall, and what to expect when PWX heads to Phoenix in 2026. Whether you're in public works, environmental quality, or municipal government, this episode is packed with practical insights on innovation, education, and building a resilient team in a rapidly growing community. ⏱️ Timestamps: 0:00 — Intro & welcome from PWX in Houston 0:04 — Meet Robert van den Akker, City of Buckeye 0:41 — From medical school to environmental quality 1:51 — Air quality, dust, and the Sonoran Desert 2:31 — Stormwater & NPDES compliance without dedicated funding 4:01 — Staffing challenges in a top-5 fastest-growing city 5:18 — Training, apprenticeships & job-shadowing programs 6:31 — First impressions of PWX: sessions, exhibit hall & networking 7:44 — Solid waste & landfill operations in a low-rainfall climate 9:05 — Recycling that's real: the Rehrig Pacific partnership 10:20 — Career journey: from Florida to Arizona 12:09 — Work-life balance & family at PWX 13:35 — Looking ahead: PWX 2026 in Phoenix 15:28 — Closing thoughts & how to connect with Robert 🔔 Subscribe for more episodes from The Public Works Podcast roadshow! New interviews from public works professionals across the country. 💬 Have a question or want to be featured? Reach out to Robert at: trashadmin@buckeyeaz.gov If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, and share with your network. See you at PWX 2026 in Phoenix! #PublicWorks #APWA #PWX2026 #CityOfBuckeye #EnvironmentalQuality #Stormwater #SolidWaste #Recycling #MunicipalGovernment #ThePublicWorksPodcast #Arizona #Phoenix #Houston #Infrastructure #Sustainability #SonoranDesert #WaterQuality #PublicSector #TPWP