Starting a Community Recycling Program

Starting a community recycling program can look different depending on where you are, but one thing remains the same: the benefits of recycling are huge for everyone involved.

Recycling has become a service that people expect no matter where they live. Without a recycling program, communities aren’t meeting these expectations. A well-run recycling program can even attract new residents and help keep current ones happy.

Here are some of the big benefits of community recycling programs:

• Less Waste: Reduces the amount of waste going to landfills.
• Environmental Impact: Minimizes the community’s impact on the environment and helps fight climate change.
• Lower Emissions: Cuts down on greenhouse gases by saving energy.
• Cleaner Air and Water: Improves the quality of air and water.
• More Recycling: Boosts the amount of recyclable materials in the circular economy.
• Local Economy: Creates jobs and increases tax revenue.
• Cost Savings: Reduces waste management costs and saves money.
• Sustainable Growth: Supports sustainable development in the community.

With limited landfill space, successful recycling programs are essential. They offer many benefits and help create a cleaner, healthier future for everyone.

How to Start a Recycling Program in Your Community

When starting a new recycling program, it’s important for communities to understand their specific needs. Start by talking to residents about their interest in recycling. Check the local government budget to find potential funding opportunities. Take a close look at the current waste management system and figure out the total costs. Assess how much you might save on garbage and other waste services with a recycling program. Decide if the municipality will handle collection and hauling or if you’ll need to hire a contractor. Look into local or regional recycling facilities (MRFs) and see what options are available. Once you have a good grasp of your program’s basics, you can dive into the details and plan out how to implement your recycling efforts.

Curbside Recycling Programs

A curbside recycling program involves placing recyclables in bins or carts, which are then collected by a service and sorted at a recycling facility. To kick off a new curbside recycling program, your community should start by figuring out the budget, getting support from community members, and securing approval from local officials. Once that’s sorted, you’ll need to get the right containers for residents. At The Recycling Partnership, we suggest using recycling carts. They’re great because they save money, are easy for people to use, improve worker safety, and help recover more materials.

If you handle recycling collection yourself, you might need to buy recycling trucks, especially if you want an automated system. Automation can help you decide on the type of waste haulers you need, how often they collect, and the best routes to take.

If you hire a hauling service, the contract with the recycling facility is crucial. The Recycling Partnership’s Guide to Community Materials Recovery Facility Contracts can provide useful tips on managing these contracts.

Also, don’t just drop recycling carts off at people’s driveways and leave it at that. For your program to really succeed, you’ll need to spend time educating and informing residents about how curbside recycling works. Start with educational materials as you roll out the program and make sure to keep funding for education in your budget year after year. This will help improve the quality of your recycling and keep residents engaged.

Multifamily Recycling Programs

Multifamily dwellings (MFDs) are buildings or complexes with multiple separate living units, like apartment buildings and townhouses. Setting up a recycling program for these types of properties involves a few extra steps compared to recycling programs for single-family homes.

Unlike single-family home programs, multifamily recycling is often handled by private services rather than local municipalities. These services are usually managed by the property management company. Just like starting a drop-off or curbside program, you’ll need to find funding, get stakeholders on board, and secure support.

If a municipality wants to make sure recycling is available in MFDs, they might need to create a multifamily recycling ordinance. First, check if your state already has such an ordinance. If not, consider forming a team to create one. This team could include community ambassadors to spread the word and an education group to help residents and managers understand and adopt the new rules.

Here are some ideas for multifamily recycling ordinances:

• A rule requiring property managers to offer recycling services to tenants.
• A requirement in building codes for new or renovated MFDs to include recycling facilities.

Multifamily recycling programs can be tricky because they need more complex collection systems, varying levels of awareness among property managers and residents, and careful planning for the necessary infrastructure.

Drop-off Recycling Programs

A drop-off recycling program is great for residents who don’t have curbside recycling or who have a lot of materials to recycle. It lets people bring their recyclables to a central spot. If you already have a drop-off location for waste, consider adding a recycling option. Make sure the drop-off point is in a busy area, like near major roads and shopping centers, so people can easily drop off their recycling while running errands or on their way to work.

When setting up a drop-off program, think about a few key things. Decide if you’ll have staff on-site to keep the area tidy and whether you’ll mix different types of materials. Also, budget for operational costs like hauling (which can be reduced by compacting materials) and security to prevent illegal dumping. Don’t forget about the costs for educating residents and putting up clear signs at the drop-off location.

Just opening a new drop-off spot isn’t enough—residents need to know where it is and what they can drop off. Regularly check how well the program is working and make improvements as needed.

Community Recycling Best Practices

Here are some tips to help you improve your current community recycling program or get a new one started on the right track:

For Your Community Recycling Program:

1. Keep Everyone Informed: Make sure to provide educational materials at every stage of the program—before, during, and after the launch. Use mail, billboards, flyers, emails, social media, and door hangers to spread the word.
2. Handle Contamination Issues: Know what common contaminants show up in your recycling. Have drivers carry educational materials in their trucks to hand out when they spot contamination. Regularly remind residents about what should and shouldn’t go in the recycling bin. Put up clear signs at drop-off locations to help with this.
3. Ensure Access for All Residents: For curbside recycling, make sure every household has a recycling cart. For multifamily buildings, provide an on-site recycling location.
4. Plan Your Budget: Set up an annual recycling budget that covers education, maintenance, training, and promotional activities.
5. Consider Hiring Coordinators: Depending on how big your program is, you might need a recycling coordinator. This person will help manage recycling activities, promote the program, and ensure everything runs smoothly. For larger programs, having coordinators for different services (like drop-off and curbside) can be really helpful.

For Your Drop-Off Location:

1. Use Clear Signage: Make sure your drop-off locations have easy-to-read signs that help residents find their way and know what can and cannot be recycled.
2. Pick a Good Location: Choose a spot that residents frequently visit, is easy to access, and makes it clear what people need to do when they get there.
3. Keep the Area Maintained: If you’re running an unstaffed drop-off location, make sure it’s regularly cleaned and maintained. Install bright lighting, fencing, and cameras for security if possible.

How to Encourage Residents to Recycle in Your Community

Raising awareness is just the start for a successful community recycling program. To make it truly effective, you need to guide your residents through several stages: from awareness to understanding, then to active participation, and finally to becoming advocates for recycling.

You want your residents to become champions of the recycling program, encouraging their neighbors and community to join in. Here’s how to guide them through this journey:

Show the “Why”

Explain why recycling matters. Share how the recycling process works, from collecting materials to turning them into new products. Help residents see that their efforts are more than just putting items in a bin—they’re making a real difference for their city’s sustainability. Show them local landfills or recycling facilities, so they can see where their recyclables go and how they’re processed. A well-funded education campaign can make all the difference.

Encourage Behavior Change

At The Recycling Partnership, we focus on changing behavior as a key to success. It’s about making recycling a habit. People might need to recycle more often, differently, or better. Achieving this often requires a mix of creativity and strategy. Start with the right containers and an educational budget, and watch as behavior change starts to take shape.

How to Educate Your Community About Your Recycling Program

When it comes to creating a successful community recycling program, education is key. With a solid educational budget, a clear plan, and a good framework, your program will be on the right track.

Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1. Choose the Right Communication Methods: Think about the best ways to explain recycling concepts to your community. Use the 1/5/50 rule:

• For single topics, like what can go in a recycling bin, use simple labels.
• For multiple topics, like different types of recyclables at drop-off locations, use mailers or flyers.
• For comprehensive information, like everything residents need to know about recycling, use your city’s website.

2. Keep it Simple: Don’t worry too much about minor details. Residents might stress over rinsing every jar perfectly or whether a slightly greasy pizza box is still recyclable. Focus on the basics:

• “Don’t bag recyclables.”
• “Recycle the box, not the pizza. Just empty the box.”
• “Empty, rinse, and dry.”

3. Be Clear and Concise: The simpler your message, the more effective it will be.

By keeping these tips in mind, you can make recycling education straightforward and impactful.