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Multifamily Recycling - Providing Collection Bags for Residents
2007-02-27 15:37:33 UTC
Multifamily recycling - providing collection bags to residents In the past, we've provided reusable blue recycling bags free of charge to apartment and townhouse residents to encourage recycling. Residents use the bags to store materials and then take the materials to a central area outside the building where they put the materials in the appropriate container (newspaper, mixed paper, or containers). We're considering making a few changes to this program. In the past, we've sent the bags out through building managers but we're considering a campaign aimed at reaching the individual residents directly. We're also looking at a few different bag "designs" and formats. Does anyone have experiences they would like to share on this topic?
- how did you promote the program (get the bags out to residents)? .
- did you include information on the bag in terms of what could or could not be recycled?
- what supplier did you use for the bags, what kind of material was the bag made out of, and what was the approximate size/shape of the bag?
- did you obtain sponsorship from a local business for the cost of the bag?
- do you have any data on how providing the bags has affected recycling tonnages and general participation among MF residents?
- do you have any other lessons you can share on this issue or the issue of MF recycling generally?
Any information on what has worked or not worked is appreciated.
Caroline Jackson
Community Programs Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program
148 East 2nd Street
North Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z6
t: 604.984.9730
f: 604.984.3563
e: [email protected]
www.nsrp.bc.ca
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Re: Looking for projects related to boating, non-toxic purchases and reducing yard chemical use
2007-01-30 16:33:14 UTC
Hi Michael,
We've been running a GardenSmart program here in North and West Vancouver, Canada since 2003. The aim of the program is to reduce the use of pesticides in lawn and garden care and to reduce the number of organics going to the landfill. We're currently beginning year five (2007) of a five year program. To give you some background, the North Shore Recycling Program is a tri-municipal agency and traditionally our role has been to administer recycling and waste reduction for West Vancouver and North Vancouver City and District. We were approached by the municipalities in 2002 to extend our role in waste reduction education to include pesticide reduction education. Initially we conducted three telephone surveys (two in 2003 and one in 2004) to examine pesticide use behaviour and attitudes among residents. The results of the 2003 surveys were summarized in a year-end report which I can send you if you're interested. We found that pesticides were most commonly used to deal with lawn maintenance issues (e.g. weed n' feed) and much of our messaging has targeted these users. Our surveys revealed that if people were willing to reduce pesticide use if they were given suggestions for alternative means of dealing with gardening problems. In 2003 and 2004 much of the funding was allocated to initial telephone survey research and the remainder (about $10,000) went towards promotion and advertising. Postcard sized "streetcards" were delivered to area businesses and via admail to targeted areas (with large lawns). The focus of the campaign was a slogan "pesticides kill weeds and bugs...who's next?". The postcard campaign was complemented by ads in the local paper, the North Shore News. We received some negative feedback from some members of advisory committees that the message was too "extreme", however we did manage to highlight the issue. In 2005 and 2006 we allocated the full $20,000 towards educationdeliverables (no $10,000 telephone surveys) so we were able to expand the program substantially. In early 2005 we conducted a focus group of male weed n' feed users and this information was used to develop a brochure "7 Steps to a Great Lawn" and accompanying advertising campaign in the local newspaper. The program was rebranded as "GardenSmart" and a website, www.gardensmart.ca , was launched. In 2005, we also began a home workshop program, "Natural Garden Parties". These workshops are a unique format in that, similar to a Tupperware party, the host is responsible for inviting guests and organizing refreshments (this can take the form of a wine & cheese, a barbeque, or just coffee & muffins). We supply a speaker on a particular topic (lawn maintenance, veggie gardening) and provide a host prize, invitations, door prizes, and handouts (brochures, etc). This program has been quite popular - last year we had 12 parties with about 170 participants. This has proven to be an excellent method of getting our message out and a similar format is now being used by the City of Seattle. We've done some evaluation and found that 50% of participants to these workshops are pesticide users, so we are definitely reaching our target market in that sense. We also have a regular workshop series at the local library but I am convinced that the less formal home parties are far more effective (and they require less staff time to administer). We're planning a follow-up telephone survey for October so I can pass the results along to you if you're interested. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more information.
Regards,
Caroline Jackson
Community Programs Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program
148 East 2nd Street North
Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z6
t: 604.984.9730
f: 604.984.3563
e: [email protected] -
Re: green practices in us and Southern Africa
2007-01-30 16:26:19 UTC
Hi Vicki,
Permaculture Botswana is one organization you may want to contact. Permaculture is a local non-government organization based in Serowe, Botswana. I'm not sure of the relevance of their work to the United States, but they have been doing some wonderful work in remote areas of Botswana, assisting impoverished communities in small scale sustainable farming. They have also built composting toilets and have put on a number of skills training courses. For more information, please visit: http://www.envngo.co.bw/pages/ptb.html This website also will give you some general information on environmental NGOs in Botswana. I worked in Botswana years ago so if you would like any more information, please feel free to contact me.
Regards,
Caroline Jackson
Community Programs Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program
148 East 2nd Street North
Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z6
t: 604.984.9730
f: 604.984.3563
e: [email protected] -
Re: seeking information on City-wide Food composting
2007-01-16 14:16:42 UTC
Seattle accepts food waste. Check http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Yard_Waste_Collection/Acceptab leYardFoodWaste/index.htm for more info.
Regards,
Caroline Jackson
Community Programs Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program
148 East 2nd Street
North Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z6
t: 604.984.9730
f: 604.984.3563
e: [email protected]
www.nsrp.bc.ca
www.gardensmart.ca -
Backyard Composter Follow-up Surveys
2006-06-30 08:30:36 UTC
Hello everyone:
We are planning to survey residents who have bought a backyard composter through our municipal subsidy program. We hope to design a short telephone survey (about 5 questions) and collect information on the following:
-How many of those who have bought a composter are still using them, and if not, why not?
-What is the biggest issue or barrier associated with backyard composting that residents are facing (among residents who have purchased a composter), and how do they attempt to overcome it?
-Where do they look for information on how to compost?
-Who looks after the composter in the household?
-Are residents composting yard trimmings, kitchen scraps, or both in their backyard composters?
If anyone has any reports, similar surveys, or advice that they might be willing to share with us, this would be most appreciated.
Sincerely,
Caroline Jackson
Community Programs Coordinator
North Shore Recycling Program
148 East 2nd Street
North Vancouver, BC V7J 1Z6
t: 604.984.9730
f: 604.984.3563
e: [email protected]
www.nsrp.bc.ca
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