Residential recycling has become very
straight forward in my hometown within the Niagara Region. We have an excellent
blue and grey box program, and even collect organics in the green bins. The
municipality provides up-to-date versions of the recycling and organic bin
lists each year, telling residents exactly what can and cannot go in each bin. So
my question is...why won’t my neighbours recycle and compost?
The city provided the green bins for free
when the program started a few years ago, therefore each household should have
access to the green bin. Organics are picked up each week, so they aren’t
sitting around for weeks smelling up the place. Blue and grey boxes can be purchased at
designated retail facilities throughout the region for a relatively cheap
price. New homeowners also receive one
blue/grey/green bin for free. So the issue is not that the proper
equipment is unavailable.
As mentioned before, the region informs
residents what CAN and CANNOT be put into each bin. The info packet is delivered
to households each year. The information is available online through the
regions website, setting out lists of what is acceptable for each bin program
and what is not acceptable. The not acceptable items sometimes have a notation
next to them of where they can go.
Example: Under the blue box program, paper
products are listed in the ‘not acceptable’ category but it tells the reader to
refer to the grey box listing.
So if the equipment is available, and the
knowledge is available, what is missing that my neighbours will not take advantage
of these programs to reduce their garbage? I am aware that some people just
flat out refuse (I will never understand that), so how can we get across to the
others that may want to but are not sure how to do it?
The region has a website, Facebook and
Twitter. They also advertise in the local papers. The website is clear and
useful, the waste collection information is easy to locate. I just found out
recently that the region has Facebook and Twitter, so perhaps more awareness is
needed.
- · I haven’t heard any recent radio advertisements for the Niagara Region, nor for the waste collection programs. Some new and catchy radio advertisements that would be played on the local radio stations would be a great way to grab the attention of homeowners.
- · The new paper advertisements are usually fairly large and noticeable with bright colours (blues and greens) so good job there!
- · Providing local schools with the means for educating the students about the Niagara Region waste collections programs is a great way to get them involved. The students may then take that information home and pass on the knowledge to their parents.
- · Computers and smart phones are everywhere, take advantage of that! Facebook and Twitter campaigns can get quick bursts of information out to the public.
Recycling and composting are not optional
in my house, my parents and siblings along with myself (6-7 people depending on
the day, plus pets) are all for it. Each week we put out 4 full blue boxes, 1
full grey box, 2 full green bins, and one half-bag of garbage (about 2 grocery
bags worth from non-recyclables). If my family can do it, families that are
much smaller than ours can do it too!
Other
Programs the Niagara Region offers for household waste management:
Yard Waste
Household Hazardous Waste
Large Item Collection
Electronic Waste
Christmas tree Collection
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