Waste-Watchers

The neighborhood Green Team that I lead has just been awarded a $5,000 grant from the county to establish a group called East Calhoun Waste-Watchers. The function of the group is to reinforce and increase current recycling rates in our neighborhood. We plan to do so through publicity, including making lawn signs for those who have green bins for organics recycling behind in the alley. Hopefully, come spring, those who are composting will display the lawn signs out front as a way to advertise their participation to passersby. Second, we’re going to offer home recycling consultations. Two Green Team members will be available to visit houses, where they will answer questions about recycling, both organic and traditional (cans, bottles and paper) and help solve logistical problems. There’s money in the grant for free stuff – compost buckets and compostable bags – to help people get started. Third, we’re going to offer a community workshop to teach neighbors about recycling – how to do it and why it’s important.

By this time next year, we hope to have achieved a significant increase in the number of households participating in organics recycling. Ideally, quantities of other recycled materials will have increased, and the resulting decrease in garbage will be reflected in fewer large garbage carts and more small ones.

Lose waste painlessly!