how to start a community recycling program?
Posted on January 4, 2009
Filed Under 7 |
My comunity doesn’t have a recycling program in place and I think it would be a great way to help the enviroment and get my kids interested in saving the Earth. I don’t know how to get a program started in our neighborhood. I see other neighborhoods where they set out special containers alongside of the garbage bags and then it is picked up. I would like to see that sort of program at work in my area, please give suggestions or previous expirience that has worked for your community!
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5 Responses to “how to start a community recycling program?”
talk to your neighborhood reps and see what would need to be done, maybe it would be as simple as a small petition being signed. Not sure. But ask them the steps that would need to be atken to get that ball rolling and then just jump into the task head first without thinking twice about it. Good luck and best wishes!
Try making a petition and have as many of your neighbors sign it as possible, then bring it in front of your city counsel.
Here is a step by step for starting a community recycling program developed by the city of San Diego.
Here is a sample of the report about the success of a program developed in Alaska.
Here is a STEP BY STEP GUIDE TO STARTING A
MULTI-FAMILY COMMUNITY RECYCLING PROGRAM.
There is a ton more info out there and it is really too big a project to write out the complete plan in these answers so I thought I would give you a start on reading about these programs.
Setting Up A Community Recycling Program
For Your Condo/Apartment Complex
While recycling should be part of everyone’s daily routine, many condo/apartment complexes still do not offer a community recycling program. Don’t let this stop you! Start recycling at home on your own or work with your condo association or complex manager to begin a community-wide program. Assistance is available through the Department for both situations. You are also encouraged to follow the guidelines below:
Determine the Materials to be Recycled
Select Storage Location
Select Storage Receptacles
Develop a Collection Plan
Develop a Transportation Plan
Working with Condo Associations/Apartment Managers
Inform and Educate Residents
Program Maintenance
Help is Close by
List of Local Companies who Provide Business Recycling Services
Determine the Materials to be Recycled
Ask your waste hauler to conduct an informal “waste audit” to determine what materials and what quantities of them your complex discards each week (white paper, mixed paper, aluminum and steel cans, glass and plastics). Decide if you want to donate the recyclables or receive payment for them (California Redemption Value containers).
As for recycling/disposing of household hazardous waste, such as cleaning products, used automotive batteries, used motor oil, antifreeze, household and Nicad batteries and water-based paints, very special precautions must take place. It is illegal for condo/apartment complexes to collect these wastes from tenants. Refer them to Household Hazardous Waste & Collection Events.
Select Storage Location
Select a storage area that is convenient for all members of the complex. By making recycling easy, it will become a habit.
Select Storage Receptacles
Consider convenience, price, space, weight and ease of cleaning when selecting storage container(s) for inside each unit. Good options for inside condos and apartments are plastic bins, crates, boxes and grocery bags. These make it easy to sort your recyclables at home and later put them in community container(s).
For community storage, garbage cans are practical and come in a variety of colors and sizes. Make sure that the recycling containers look different from the trash receptacles. Remember to alert your trash hauler so that they don’t take your community recyclables by mistake.
Develop a Collection Plan
It is important to set a collection schedule — consistency is the key. The frequency of collection days depends on how much storage space you have for the recyclables.
Develop a Transportation Plan
There are two options: transport the recyclables on your own OR hire a pick-up service to collect them for you. The advantage of personally transporting your community’s recyclables is that your complex keeps any money generated from the sale of the materials (if you go to a buy-back center). For ease and convenience, you may prefer to obtain a pick-up service. Keep in mind that many companies will charge a fee, but this is usually less than the fee to collect trash. Many haulers will also collect recycling in addition to recycling companies. Call 858-694-7000 or view Recycling Collection Services for Businesses & Multi-family Complexes for a list of local companies who collect recyclable materials.
Working with Condo Associations/Apartment Managers
Before implementing the community-wide program, you must obtain approval from your apartment manager or condo association. It is best to approach them after you have finished all the preliminary research and planning; then present them with a plan they can’t refuse.
Include the following in your discussion with them:
Why recycling is important
What will be recycled
Where the recyclables will be stored
How often the recyclables will be collected
How they will be collected (by whom)
Who will clean the storage area if it becomes messy
What will be done with the potential income
How the site will be maintained
What benefits the program will provide to the landlord or association
Be sure to explain that the reduction in trash volume at your complex may lead to a rate reduction from the trash hauler. By involving the trash hauler, who often provides recycling services as well, the complex may be given trash hauling discounts (due to less trash) which can be put towards any cost for maintaining the recycling program.
Inform and Educate Residents
Upon approval, let your fellow residents know about the program. Circulate flyers to each unit, post flyers by mailboxes or in laundry rooms and place the information in your complex’s newsletter. Remember to give the following information:
When the program will start
What will be recycled
What the pick-up day will be
How to sort and prepare the recyclables
Where the storage and collection sites will be located
Whom to call for assistance
The more contact you have with your neighbors, the more likely they will be to participate. Let them know that any degree of participation is welcome.
Program Maintenance
When your recycling program is under way, there are a few duties that will keep the program running smoothly:
Keep your collection site neat
Keep the containers clean
Ensure that recyclables are being placed in the proper containers (glass in the glass container, plastics in the plastics container, etc.)
Keep communication lines open between you and your recycler
Continually inform the manager and residents of any changes in the program. If a preliminary waste audit has been done, a second audit should be recommended. The results of the two audits can be compared, and a reduction in trash hauling fees may be negotiated.
Help is Close by
For help starting a program, please Environmental Services at 858-694-7000.
well you can contat waste management and the will hook you up with a recycling bin for a yearly cost or you can find a local recycling center and buy you own bin the acept alluminum cans plastic and glass bottles its good you trying to lower your impact