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Final RRR Report From Kris Rice
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Final Report
and
Recommendations
Krisanne Rice,
RRR Coordinator
January 28, 2005
Open
PDF file here
Open
MS Word file here
Overview
Sitka has made great strides in the RRR program since its
implementation 15 months ago. Why should Sitka support a vigorous RRR program?
Garbage and the way we choose to manage it, is a challenge not only in Sitka, but also in our
region and nation as a whole. Sitkans generate an increasing amount of
garbage every year. Not only is garbage a highly visible and expensive
issue, but it is also one with which every individual can relate since
EVERYONE generates garbage. We all share a responsibility for protecting
and maintaining our environment and we must recognize that through our
lifestyles and behaviors each one of us can make a difference.
Collectively, Sitkans can also choose to make a difference and demonstrate
to the region that we are on the cutting edge by continuing to promote and
expand RRR programs and policies. Decision points must be made based not
only on the bottom line but also in consideration of our impacts to our
community, region and earth.
Recyclables also have a market
value. Garbage does not. We pay, in round numbers, $150/ton for recyclables
and $120/ton for garbage. However, after being sold on the market Sitka receives a
“rebate.” Recyclables therefore end up costing less to dispose
(not counting infrastructure costs).
Sitka has a solid, user-friendly RRR program given the
constraints from which we must work in. Sitkans do not have far to drive to
deposit their recyclables. The Marine
Services Center
and Keet Gooshi Heen
School are centrally
located. Both are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Contrast this with Juneau that has much
farther driving distances and is only open two days a week.
Sitka has laid an excellent foundation for expanding the RRR
Program. Community members who initially
envisioned the program through the collaborative planning process, Solid
Waste Implementation Team members who continue engagement, city staff and
the citizens of Sitka
are to be commended for their efforts. We have come a long way in a year.
Let’s continue the forward direction that has been established.
A number of accomplishments
were achieved in 2004.
Bin Modification
Openings were enlarged or
redesigned on the cardboard and mixed paper bins to facilitate ease of
recycling based on user suggestions.
Pavement
The area under the bins was
paved to improve the site by decreasing standing water and mud, which was
prevalent. Pavement also facilitates sweeping the site to maintain a clean
area.
Secondary Site
An additional site was
established at Keet Gooshi Heen
School in August to ease the
burden on the Marine
Services Center
location, encourage recycling by the school, and to encourage families to
recycle when dropping off or picking up their children.
Shredded Paper
A separate bin was established
for shredded paper to accommodate the business community and to facilitate
handling and baling tasks. This was based on high user interest in having
shredded paper accepted as one of the recyclables.
Number of 32-gallon cans
Nearly
500 households have signed up for the 32-gallon can. Many households
recycle but still choose to use the 90-gallon can. Those who have switched
have been surprised with how little garbage they produce. Essentially, only
plastics remain and organic material if home composting is not done.
Public
Education
- Print Media. 148 pieces of
print media were produced in 2004 for the Sitka Sentinel and Sitka
Soup. This included press releases, public service announcements,
photographs, advertisements and flyers posted about town.
- Radio. Four, 30
minute to an hour-long call-in” Garbage Show’s were hosted
on Raven Radio. The RRR coordinator went on air during Problem Corner
8 times as part of educational outreach. 180 radio 30 sec. advertisements
were placed on Raven Radio and KIFW in addition to in-kind
PSA’s.
- Classroom / Group
Presentations. 27
educational sessions were presented in Sitka’s public schools
(Keet Gooshi Heen and Blatchley Middle School), Mt. Edgecumbe
Preschool, Chamber of Commerce, Girls Scouts, Sitka Rotary Club and Sheldon
Jackson College.
- Monthly Grind.
Students presented recycling skits during two Monthly Grinds.
- Displays. RRR
displays were placed at the main post office and Kettleson Memorial
Library.
- Website Link. A
link to RecycleSitka from the city’s website promotes RRR
concepts, provides education and an opportunity for individuals to ask
questions.
- Business Contacts.
Approximately 40 contacts were made directly with the business
community to promote recycling.
- Individual Contacts.
A count was not kept but they number in the hundreds.
Events
- Green Bag Lunches.
Two Green Bag Lunches were held at Harrigan Centennial Hall.
- RecycleExtravaganza.
Two weekend “Pack the Bins” events were conducted in April
2004 during the citywide clean-up week. “Winners” of
drawings received donated recycling incentives from local businesses
and $5 discounts off their utility bill. City employees, 4 businesses
and 2 public schools participated in a roadside litter pick-up,
separating out recyclables.
- Compost. Two
Christmas tree and pumpkin events were coordinated with STA and an
educational event was conducted during the
RecycleExtravaganza’s. Free compost was distributed and 3
businesses donated home composters for a drawing.
- Electronic Waste.
Coordinated with STA, a one-time event was hosted in May 04.
RRR Coordinator Tasks
The RRR Coordinator position
is essential to the success of the program and is needed in the future to
not only maintain the program but to grow it. Short, mid and long-term
priorities for this position are listed followed by specific
recommendations to Sitka’s
RRR program.
Short term (through June 30, duration of existing
contract)
The following tasks should be
considered priorities for the next RRR Coordinator and will yield the most
results in this time period.
- On-going residential and business contacts to
encourage recycling
- Monthly RRR events (green bag lunches,
presentations, radio shows, etc.)
- Super Saturday, April 9th –
educational event at Baranof
School
- City wide clean-up – Second Recycle
Extravaganza, April
- Coordinate electronic waste event with STA, April
- “Keep Glass in Sitka” campaign
- Update general paid advertising efforts
- Weekly cleaning of recycling centers (sweeping,
picking up small trash)
- Update website
- SE Conference: Maintain connection to regional MSW
study to ensure / advocate for significant RRR component
Mid-term
- Continue short term tasks
- Research pros and cons of separating out office
paper from mixed paper
- Research costs, constraints and opportunities for
recycling PET and HDPE plastics
- Maintain connection with SE Conference
- Research and promote expanded and shared aluminum
recovery and recycling effort
- Expand collaborative RRR events / projects with
STA
- Form a “Friends of RecycleSitka” group
of volunteers to coordinate event recycling programs and to offer
general support
Long-term
- Continue short term tasks
- Maintain connection to regional MSW study and SE
Conference to advocate for RRR direction
- Research opportunities and constraints for pros
and cons for mandatory recycling, curbside service and city management
of MSW
- Research opportunities and constraints for a more
comprehensive composting effort to include STA and the Fortress of the
Bears.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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As you can see above, some people
have not been sorting their recyclables, causing problem for workers and
other recyclers alike!
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Some Thoughts About Home Recycling
Containers
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There are some people who like cool
gear and there are lots of places to buy recycling containers made just for
recycling.
Or, there are many containers
manufacturered for other purposes – like wash basins -- that will
hold recyclables as well as something made just for the purpose..
Or, you can find something disposable
– like a cardboard box or paper bag -- that can be recycled right
along with the stuff in it.
You can find some designated
recycling containers at local stores and lots more on the Internet. Sometines, it’s important to have the
word “Recycle” printed on the container. In offices, it may be
important to differentiate the recyclingg container from other, similar
containers. In a hotel room (or
guest bedroom), a labeled container is an easy way to say `We
Recycle’ and you can do it here.”
For just the family, or a home
office, Sitka
stores that carry housewares have many different kinds of plastic
containers that can fill different recycling needs. A plastic wastebasket
makes a good container for recycling glass. A small storage bin makes an
excellent desktop paper recycler. If you want your container to say
“Recycle” or “Mixed Paper Only” or whatever, you
can write it on the side with a marking pen!
Since the middle “R” in
“RRR” is “Re-use” then the best recycling
containers are things that come into your life anyway and you find a new
use for them. Cardboard boxes of all
sizes make fine recycling containers.
A paper bag full of mixed paper can be dumped, full of paper, into the mixed paper bin at the Marine Service Center. Use the bag a couple of time s before you
recycle it!
Tell us what kind of containers you
use at your home or office and we’ll post your ideas on the
“Trash Talk” page of this site.
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