Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
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Initiative: 5.31 Educate the public about recycling and other waste issues
Thriving & Vibrant Environment
Description
Virtually every resident, organization, and human activity generates waste. As we face challenges in climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, it is essential to adopt sustainable waste management practices. The City collects over 50,000 tons of garbage (waste) and approximately 20,000 tons of commingled recyclable materials from residents each year. Educating residents about waste and recycling issues teaches individuals to think critically about and create a positive change in residents' attitudes and behaviors toward waste management. Specifically, educating residents on the waste management hierarchy principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle provides a framework for promoting responsible consumption and reducing waste.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
Recent data for June 2024 shows the Contamination Rate at the MRF remains high at 33.2%, consistent since October 2023. Campaign metrics indicate active public engagement efforts: Online Video Impressions reached 56,650, Ad Display Impressions 103,340, TV Airings 752, and Streaming TV Impressions 38,469. Our target is to reduce the contamination rate to 15% through outreach and education efforts.
Recycling Contamination Rate
Why is it important?
Educating residents about reduce, reuse, and recycle principles will advance this objective in several ways. One of our priorities in Durham is reducing the amount of contaminants and trash in our recycling collections. Currently, a significant portion of our recycling collections contains materials that cannot be recycled, which can reduce the value and effective sorting of truly recyclable material, requires unnecessary transportation of the materials to the processor, where those materials need then to be separated out and discarded. Some contaminants such as plastic bags and other “tanglers” can even cause damage to processing equipment. This ultimately costs the City money and undermines the relationship to the recycling processor. Furthermore, education will help residents understand the value and importance of the reduction and reuse components of waste diversion, which, when combined with recycling, can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, prevent pollution by reducing the reliance on natural materials, save energy, help sustain the environment for future generations, reduce the amount of waste that will need to be recycled or sent to landfills, allows products to be used to their fullest extent, and saves money.
What have we been doing?
1. Direct Recycle Loads to the MRF for Analysis
We have been actively directing our recycle loads to the Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) for comprehensive analysis. This initiative aims to improve our understanding of the composition of collected recyclables, identify contamination levels, and enhance the efficiency of our recycling process. The data gathered will be instrumental in refining our recycling strategies and ensuring higher quality outputs.
2. Broadcast of the Spring Recycle Right Media Campaign
Our Spring Recycle Right Media Campaign has been successfully launched. The campaign focuses on educating the public about proper recycling practices through various media channels. Early feedback indicates an increase in public awareness.
3. Prepping for the Rollout of Educational Graphics on Our Trucks
We are in the final stages of preparing educational graphics to be displayed on our fleet of trucks. These graphics are designed to provide clear, concise information on what can be recycled. The rollout is scheduled to begin next month and is expected to reach a wide audience, reinforcing our recycling messages as the trucks make their rounds in the community.
4. Develop a Structured Framework for the Customer Service Team's Public Outreach Initiatives
We are developing a structured framework for our customer service team's public outreach initiatives. This framework includes outreach scripts and a calendar of community events. Our goal is to ensure consistent, informative interactions with the public, fostering a better understanding of our services and promoting best practices in waste reduction and management.
5. Compost Bin Sale Promotion and Education
We hosted our first Compost Bin Sale to encourage composting within the community. We have partnered with a vendor to offer compost bins at a reduced price and are providing educational materials to help residents get started with composting. This initiative aims to reduce organic waste in landfills and promote sustainable gardening practices.
What's next?
1. Enhanced Public Engagement at City and Other Events
Our next step involves increasing our presence at city-sponsored and other community events. By setting up informational booths and interactive displays, we aim to engage directly with residents, answer their recycling-related questions, and provide educational materials. This hands-on approach will help foster a deeper understanding of our recycling programs and encourage active participation.
2. Collaboration with "City Hall on the Go"
We are excited to announce our collaboration with the "City Hall on the Go" initiative. This program will allow our staff to travel to various neighborhoods, engaging directly with the community. Through this partnership, we will enhance our efforts in recycling education and monitoring, ensuring that residents have the knowledge and resources they need to recycle correctly.
3. Exploring the Idea of an Educational Mascot
To boost brand recognition and engage with schools and youth, we are exploring the development of an educational mascot. This mascot will serve as a friendly and approachable figure that can effectively communicate our recycling messages to younger audiences. By visiting schools and participating in community events, the mascot will help instill recycling habits early on and make learning about waste management fun and memorable.
4. Promotional and Educational Activities for Food Waste Drop-Off Sites
We will be launching a series of promotional and educational activities to support our food waste drop-off sites. These activities will include workshops, informational sessions, and promotional materials to raise awareness about the benefits of composting food waste. Our goal is to increase participation in our food waste programs, reduce the amount of organic waste sent to landfills, and promote sustainable practices within the community.
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