Recycling was a principle point of discussion throughout the Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Conference. One breakout session focused on recycling education and outreach best practices, with tips and tools that can be utilized by communities all over, regardless of curbside versus drop-off recycling programs. Keep Alliance Beautiful offers both options for area residents.
While attending this session learned about why the focus on anti-contamination procedures is of utmost importance and gained knowledge on best practice methods of “Recycling Right.”
The first speaker was Sara Nichols. She opened with a basic definition of recycling: A series of activities by which material that has reached the end of its current use is processed into material utilized in the production of new products. To be recycled something has to be collectable for processing and sent to end markets.
In response to why recycling is important, Nichols cited United States economics, noting there are 164,154 direct jobs and an overall economic impact of $109 billion. She said manufacturers depend on recyclable material with room for growth in the U.S. — more people equals more material to manage. The more we can source material domestically, less we have to import from overseas for a smaller footprint, she added.
Nichols mentioned trends and challenges, including: changing packaging, the shift from newspapers to tablets, markets (China said ‘you can keep your trash’), ocean plastics and contamination.
The last point is an issue at the Keep Alliance Beautiful Recycling Centers and other facilities throughout the country. Contamination means recyclable material that is dirty, such as a jar still containing food, and things that are not recyclable. To help, Nichols said, do not accept bagged materials, have an “accepted” materials list, rinse food containers and when in doubt throw it out.
Next, a new presenter spoke to experiences at Keep Akron (Ohio) Beautiful. That Keep America Beautiful affiliate had a contamination rate of 40 percent, up 14 percent in the last two years. In Akron they addressed the issue by sending a card to all the residents about what they want and don’t want in the bins. Part of the campaign was inspecting the bins while using an app to track what happened at the curb. However, the biggest successes came through talking to residents. After three months the contamination rate went down by 11.8 percent.
Amanda Maron, with Keep Grand Prairie (Texas) Beautiful, concluded the session by demonstrating the importance of partnering with schools. She said they saw results when they provided education. Their Green and Clean Campus program has been in existence for 20 years. Community education, especially in the schools, has also been a hallmark of Keep Alliance Beautiful efforts for more than two decades.