Here's something to consider with ANY recycling or collection program... regardless of an item's actual ability to be recycled, the more "damaged" it is, the less likely someone is to put it in the trash instead of recycling it. Professor Trudel of Boston University and Professor Argo of University of Alberta conducted research to see how changing or damaging items changes how often they are recycled. The belief is that our brains are wired to evaluate an item's potential value and usefulness... and that we think "damaged" items are worth less and have less value, so they are "trash." Here's some of the takeaways from their research: If an 8.5" x 11" sheet of office paper was more than half its original size, it was 400%+ more likely to be recycled than a smaller piece of paper. Small, 7.5oz aluminum cans are recycled about half as much as 12oz cans. The recycling rate of 12oz aluminum cans fell from 83% to 17% when dented (like the picture at the top of the page) Some ideas about how you can combat this and increase recycling: Make the trash can the last resort. Professor Trudel suggests even something as simple as putting a frowny face on trash cans is enough to change behavior. If Mr. Yuk worked before, perhaps he can make a comeback on trash cans? Label the trash for what it is: Stuff going to a landfill. Take a cue from this can design used in Union Station. Doesn't need to need to be fancy, but a label that just says "Landfill" might be enough to make people think twice. (Image: www.ilaxstudio.com) Consider reinforcing items to be recycled with pictures or icons. Like any sign or label, it never hurts to be clear... especially if all of your recycling bins are blue. If you have a label for "cans," consider adding a picture of a couple cans to the label or lamination. It might be just enough to make sure that recyclable item gets in the can. Look at what your can sizes say. I actually just had an experience with this... a couple cases where the recycling bin was literally a tenth the size of the trash can. If you have a huge trash cart versus a tiny recycling bin with a slot, people will tend to do what is easier. If you really want the program to work, you have to remove obstacles. If you'd like to read the original research by Prof Trudel and Prof Argo: http://www.jcr-admin.org/files/pressPDFs/071213005631_Trudel_Article.pdf
Our recycling of aluminum cans significantly picked up when one of our employees got involved. He placed a box in the lunch room and asked the employees to deposit their cans, aluminum foil, etc. in this box. When the box is full, he advised them he would take it to the recycling company and use the proceeds to benefit the employees. The proceeds from the aluminum recylcing are used to purchase snacks, lunches, etc. In addition to increasing our level of aluminum recylcing, these group lunches have brought our workforce closer together as well.
I like the thought of using the pictures! Something very simple, but we never thought of it! I also really like the "landfill' sticker on the trash cans! Again, very simple. But the simple stuff DOES work! I think we will be implementing this right off the bat. We do have recycle bins all over, and they are labelled. But the pictures would make an even better reminder. We are in Iowa, and pop cans and bottles can be returned for $.05 each. That money goes to a local Boy Scout troop who picks them up here and takes them. It would be a good place to start with the pictures, to see if it helps. If it works, it would be easy to do in other places.
Hi IC... we're working adding this to our product offering as I write. Stay tuned there. I was actually thinking about producing "Goes to Landfill" decals to give to our fine Founding Members to use in your facilities and see how it works. Thought you all might like. Who's interested?
Try highlighting the picture, then copy and paste it onto a Word document. That usually works for me.
Nice, large (10") vinyl super-adhesive decals will be here in about 10 days... design below. I'll set up a post for Founding Members when they arrive to take "orders"
Our Safety Manager was just in my office, and I showed him this forum, and explained to him what it's all about. And I showed him the label, which I am going to show to our 4R Team, and he LOVED it! He was also telling me something about something similar for drains, which has a fish on it. Has anyone ever seen anything like that? I haven't.
Sign him up, we'd love to have him! New Pig has the aluminum markers that you tend to see a lot mounted to drains... a few different designs. (Thanks for the set up, haha) http://www.newpig.com/pig/US/stormwater-drain-marker-sgn362?cm_cat=keyword_search
I started a new thread for our esteemed Members to get FREE "This Trash Goes To A Landfill" Trash Can Decals: http://www.wastemin.com/discuss/index.php?threads/free-this-trash-goes-to-a-landfill-trash-can-decals-for-members.92/ Thanks to ICGreen, Deb and Heidi for getting this discussion rolling!