- By -Staff
- Around Town
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Kat McCarthy, Waste Reduction & Recycling Specialist, observed “what is most exciting about what we are doing under the visionary leadership of Barb Eckstrom, is that we are meeting people where they are and creating inexpensive and effective ways to involve people who are often not reached by conventional recycling campaigns. This approach helps participants see tangible results in a short period of time, while saving money.”Valley Manor resident Christina Kamin says, “We need to leave our land as clean as possible for generations to come and to set a good example for our children.”
This program helps residents take a big step towards this goal.
TCSWMD staff worked with property managers and a tenant liaison at each of four sites (three mobile home parks and an apartment complex) to develop a tailored effort that included recycling and composting (or food scraps recycling). Each location hosted an informal kick-off event such as a Dumpster Day or Community Picnic where residents received free recycling bins, informational brochures, and instruction on how to use the new community food scraps drop-off.
McCarthy says her top three tips for making such efforts succeed elsewhere are:
- Focus on building relationships, not solving problems and start with a site where you already have a connection with an avid recycler or committed composter.
- Incentivize participation in the program by offering financial benefits, making the program official, and providing positive feedback.
- Keep in mind what we call the “Four C’s” as you work on the “Four R’s” –and plan everything you do with the knowledge that people care about cleanliness, comfort, convenience and the opportunity to make a contribution.
Tools to replicate this effort, including a motivational video and instructional manual, are available on the Solid Waste Web Site.
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