Update on Rethink Waste Project’s multifamily recycling project!
Remember WAY back in 2019, that The Environmental Center’s Rethink Waste Project won a grant from DEQ? Well, despite all the challenges this year has brought we’ve still been able to move forward with the project. Here’s what we’ve been up to so far.
Recycle Right Toolkits
We began the project focusing on two different apartment complexes: one in Redmond and one in Bend. We designed a toolkit to give to residents to spread the word about recycling correctly and reducing waste. Originally, we planned to hand them out door-to-door but with COVID-19 we opted to table once a week at each apartment complex. So far, we’ve handed out 88 toolkits!
Our tabling set-up at one of the apartment complexes.
What’s inside each toolkit?
- Housing Works equips each apartment with a commingled recycling bin so we designed a sticker for residents to put on their recycling bin.
Reusable bags, designed by Sam Powell, overflowing the back room at The Gear Fix.
- We partnered with seamster-extraordinaire, Sam Powell, from The Gear Fix, who made us over 200 reusable bags from old billboard ads and banners. The bags were designed to give residents a vessel for transporting their glass recyclables which is recycled separately from commingled recycling. The bags are durable, easy to clean, and can be stuffed away when not needed.
- We included some tips and tricks for managing food waste like a food storage guide, an eat first sign for the refrigerator and jars for quick pickles, and salad dressing recipes from High Desert Food and Farm Alliance. (You can learn more about food waste reduction here.)
- Our Rethink Waste guide. Which is now also available in Spanish.
Changes to the garbage and recycling enclosures
Recycling glass can be confusing because it needs to be separated from commingled recycling.
A common issue for multifamily housing is not having enough space for garbage and recycling.
In Redmond, we DOUBLED the recycling space. Now, there is one commingled 95-gallon recycling bin for every five apartments. We also added signs to the enclosures so they were easier to navigate.
In Bend, we are in the process of building a new garbage enclosure. This enclosure will double the recycling space, add an additional glass container and add a cardboard dumpster. Cardboard is the most common item in the recycling containers. Cardboard boxes take up a lot of space in a 95-gallon commingled recycling bin if they aren’t broken down. Adding a cardboard dumpster can help maximize commingled recycling space.
So far, the rock star complex residents been able to reduce their complex’s recycling contamination by 10 percent!
What’s next?
We’re planning on doing after-school Eco-Hero for the spring in Redmond in lieu of the summer camps we were forced to cancel. And in the meantime, we will be handing out Eco-Hero activity kits to the kids in Bend.
In the spring, we will start another round of education and outreach at an additional two apartment complexes in Bend. We’ll keep you updated as the project continues!