Examples of Community Recycling Projects

Hi Karen,

Resource Futures in Bristol have done years and years of work on this, starting with their own social enterprises, and then setting up Community Waste Action. Try them! The CEO is Jane Stephenson - she's fantastic.

Manda Brookman
CoaST One Planet Tourism Network
United Kingdom
www.coastproject.co.uk

Hi Karen,
I work for the community recycling network in Wales which has over 70 members providing waste/ resource management services in eachof their local communities. There have been issues in the past few years with Local Authorities taking services off the members (social enterprises) and back in house. There are now some members woring in partnership with local authorities to provide bulky household waste services. You might find this link of use http://www.cwmharrylandtrust.org.uk/presteigne_norton_zero_waste.html.


Ruth Llewellyn
Data & Information Officer
Cylch
Wales

Keep America Beautiful will be conducting a rural recycling webinar in September. It hasn't yet been advertised yet but our speakers will be:

English Bird New Mexico Recycling Coalition:
To crack the rural recycling nut, the New Mexico Recycling Coalition has taken a multi-year state-wide strategic approach that has identified 22 ideal and existing recycling center hub locations, following in many cases how the trash flows. Using this "hub and spoke" method, New Mexico is currently using federal stimulus monies to launch 6 new hubs, supporting the growth of others and expanding collection to 40 spoke sites, bringing new recycling access to tens of thousands. To support new and existing hubs, a cooperative marketing entity has also been created to ensure communities are getting fair market value and can sell a wider range of materials. Targeted communities are provided with technical support and assistance in building grassroots stakeholder groups with spoke community leaders serving as the education and outreach arm of the hub. Learn about the hub and spoke recycling model design, implementation and equipment used to maximize efficiencies, to optimize staff time, to streamline transportation issues and to bring positive cash flow into smaller communities.

Rachel Perry - CTRA (Cooperative Teamwork & Recycling Assistance):
This presentation highlights CTRA (Cooperative Teamwork & Recycling Assistance) a non-profit organization that has provided recycling assistance to rural communities throughout the state of Texas since 1994. The organization's mission is to provide cooperative marketing of recyclable commodities, to promote the development of end-markets for recyclables in Texas (and beyond!) and to promote education about recycling.

With an increased demand for recycling options from the public, and limits on landfill space, a need for efficient, sustainable recycling programs in rural communities was born. CTRA has worked with a variety of entities to tailor fit programs that will address each of their unique needs, but also ensure their success and longevity. This presentation will provide information on how these programs were started, even when resources and geographic location were major obstacles. Participants will also gain a better understanding of rural program development, creative recycling options and the cooperative marketing strategy.

Alan Hale, Logan County Solid Waste Management District:
Motivated by a desire to dramatically increase rural recycling the District asked the County Commissioners to adopt a resolution declaring the County to be a Zero Waste Zone with the goal of achieving Zero Waste to the landfill by 2020 from all sources in the county. The resolution gave the District the responsibility to lead this county-wide effort and was passed in March, 2007.

Over the past four years the District first experimented with an innovative concept in drop-off recycling center design that included a well appointed and landscaped drop-off center that felt park-like with free recycling, 24/7 accessibility, video surveillance, pay-as-you-throw trash collection, and a vending machine selling PAYT trash bags.

After the prototype proved successful 13 more Recycling Centers were built over two years as well as a central MRF to handle recycled materials. The system was completed in December, 2010. The collection and processing system delivered 1000 tons in the first quarter 2011, a volume four times greater than the static recycling program of the past. We expect a volume from the Recycling Centers and the two curbside programs to reach 5000 tons this year. Logan County population is 48,000, with the largest town having a population of 17,000. The residential/commercial recycling rate is now estimated to be approximately 40%.


Kelley Dennings
United States

Hi Karen,

I agree with Ruth. The Cwm Harry Zero Waste Project will tick alot of your boxes.

I am in the process of getting a community based project here in Wales off the ground in partnership with Cylch so would be eager to learn of any progress you have.

Kelley your webinar sounds interesting, please keep me posted.

Michelle Boland
Project Manager
Zero Waste 3G's
Wales