Title
"Blue is the New Green" Recycling Initiative Final Report
Recommendation
That the Governance and Priorities Committee receive the "Blue is the New Green" Recycling Initiative final report as information
Body
Purpose
Council requested that Administration step up our communications and promotion efforts to encourage Parkland County residents to adopt an even greater acceptance and participation in their recycling efforts. This report will provide an overview of the success of the "Blue is the New Green" recycling campaign.
Summary
In 2011, Communications and Solid Waste Services worked together to develop the "Blue is the New Green" recycling campaign with the following goal: Parkland County residents will increase their recycling efforts thereby increasing waste diversion to 25%. Data from the Parkland County Transfer Station and Recycle Centre was used as this is the only facility with a weigh scale capable of measuring waste and recyclable materials coming in and out of the facility.
The campaign was launched in May 2011. Waste diversion statistics for the campaign period of May to September 2011, in comparison with the same time period in 2010 are as follows:
May 2010 23%
May 2011 28%
June 2010 23%
June 2011 28%
July 2010 21%
July 2011 29%
August 2010 24%
August 2011 30%
September 2010 19%
September 2011 26%
Average diversion
2010: 22%
2011: 28.2%
Banister Research and Consulting conducted a survey of 400 residents in October 2011. Of those surveyed, 41% recalled the Blue is the New Green recycling campaign, and 71% who recalled receiving the recycling sample package with the June Communicator. 62% of respondents indicated they always recycled, and 28% indicated the campaign influenced them to recycle more. To test longevity of the campaign, waste diversion statistics to the end of the years 2010 and 2011 were compared:
October 2010 23%
October 2011 31%
Novembe...
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