A study conducted by the state of Georgia found that the state’s residents are throwing away recyclables at an alarming rate. In fact, the study found that 40 percent of what Georgians throw away can be recycled.
Griffin, Ga., has had a mandatory curbside recycling program since March of 2007. Residents who fail to put their 35-gallon recycling carts out at the curb on the designated collection day forfeit their garbage collection for the day. Recently, city officials noticed that residents on a particular route were setting out their recycling carts along with their garbage carts, but that the recycling carts were only partially full.
To help curb the waste, the city of Griffin, Ga. and the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP), an invitation-only program designed to help communities grow their curbside programs through recycling education, have teamed up to promote recycling.
“Griffin has the only mandatory curbside program in the state. That is something we fought hard for and are very proud of,” Phil Francis, director of central services for the city of Griffin, says. “Our residents care about Georgia’s environment, and we are confident that with increased education we will break down the barriers keeping them from filling their carts.”
Beginning this October, CVP will work with the city to implement a grassroots communication campaign designed to reach city residents through strategic advertising, participation in local events, a partnership with Keep Spalding-Griffin Beautiful and the Griffin Chamber of Commerce and media relations. In addition to the city-wide campaign, CVP will develop materials for specific routes with lower recycling tonnages, urging them to “keep up” with the other routes in the city, tapping in to their competitive spirit.
“Our research indicates that educating residents on the benefits of recycling has the greatest impact on increasing curbside recycling,” Steve Thompson, program director for CVP, says. “Right now, the residents of Griffin simply need to be reminded that recycling is the easiest way to preserve Georgia’s environment for generations to come. Through this education campaign, we will show residents that recycling is easy and more beneficial than just throwing everything in the trash. And they should want to recycle, even though it is mandatory.”