Overcoming barriers to participation in Organics Recycling Programs

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Overcoming barriers to participation in Organics
Recycling Programs
Elizabeth Baxter Policy Analyst Waste Program
Planning, Region of Peel
AMRC Fall Conference Oct. 22, 2008
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The Region of Peel
City of Brampton City of Mississauga Town of
Caledon

• Population 1.2 million
• The Region services 300,000 single family
  households, and 88,000 apartment/condo/town house
  units.
• 445,000 tonnes of residential waste managed in
  2007, with a 50 diversion rate.
• Region goal to divert 70 of waste from disposal
  by 2016.

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Waste Collection Services

• Weekly garbage/recycling collection
• Two Bag Standard for garbage, per week
• Organics Recycling launched Region-wide on April
  2, 2007

• Non-compostable plastics not permitted
• Only household receiving curbside collection get
  green bin service no ICI/multi-residential
• Separate leaf yard waste collection

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How Are We Doing?

• Over 58,000 tonnes collected since April 07
• Program participation remains at close to 50
• Driving factor for other GTA municipalities in
  achieving high participation rates (over 70) is
  every other week garbage collection

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Weekly Set Out Rates 2008
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Average Weekly Organics Tonnage - 2008
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Peels Communications Barriers

• Addressing Peels ethnic diversity through
  materials that communicate clearly to a range of
  language groups
• Minimising confusion resulting from media
  overspill from Torontos organics program
• Communicating a large volume of information as
  simply as possible and
• Resident resistance surrounding the yuck factor
  associated with household organics.

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Barriers and Motivators to Participation

• Barriers
• Bin liners
• Odour
• Yuck factor
• Pests
• Storage
• Language

• Motivators
• Environment
• Mandatory
• Other

• Missed collection
• Other

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Overcoming Key Barriers - Liners

• Bin Liners availability of product, performance
  of product, understanding of how product is meant
  to be used.
• Here is text we use on our website and in
  conversation with residents

Plastic bags claiming to be degradable or
oxo-degradable are also NOT acceptable for
organics collection in the Region of Peel.
Degradable plastic shopping bags are produced by
adding a chemical additive that initiates the
degradation of the polyethylene into smaller,
inert pieces. These pieces will not compost and
will contribute to the contamination of the
finished compost.
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Overcoming Key Barriers Odour Yuck Factor

• Emphasize use of newspaper/shredded paper in
  organics containers to absorb excess moisture,
  contain odours and reduce green bin juices
  even when using compostable bags!
• Have a container in the bathroom to collect
  facial tissues and cotton balls will help with
  odour.
• Sprinkling baking soda or white vinegar also
  helps minimise odour.

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Overcoming Key Barriers Pests

• Reiterate tips to reducing odour so pests are not
  attracted to bins.
• Provide special raccoon latch Norseman has one
  that goes with the 46 L green bin and it works
  well.
• Fruit flies and maggots are a reality of the
  program during warmer months

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Overcoming Key Barriers Missed Collection

• Missed collection due to
• Contamination
• Overweight (limit of 20 kgs)
• By-Law Officer will investigate and empty
  container for resident.
• Will either provide a sample of acceptable liner
  bags, or
• Will deliver an additional green bin if
  frequently overweight.

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Overcoming Key Barriers Communication Tactics
Outreach
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Overcoming Key Barriers Communication Tactics
Feedback
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Next Steps

• Increase processing capacity for organics
• Increase participation rates for single-family
  homes through outreach policy initiatives
• Introduce organics recycling in the
  multi-residential sector
• Introduce organics recycling in ICI sector (i.e.
  schools, Business Improvement Areas)

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Questions?
905-791-7800 ext. 4760 elizabeth.baxter_at_peelregion
.ca Website peelregion.ca/waste