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Over the last few months, we’ve seen an increase in persons and organizations becoming interested in instituting community recycling programmes. We couldn’t be more elated at this growth. The successful recycling of PET and HDPE plastics depend on all of us playing our parts, no matter how small. What better place to begin than the source of use…. our homes?
To celebrate this growing momentum, we’re sharing some tips for successful implementation of a community recycling programme.
1. Meet with the residents and reach an agreement
Start with a sensitization meeting, where all the residents (not just owners who may not live there) are invited to attend. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss the intention of the recycling programme and get their willingness to participate. Share as much information about recycling as possible, including:
At the end of the meeting, have the residents sign a formal commitment document to institute recycling of PET and HDPE plastics in their community.
2. Follow up with information in writing
Send out a reminder of the items discussed in the presentation a few days later. This could be a letter, flyer, brochure or a newsletter. This leaves a physical trail of the pertinent information about recycling, that eliminates the guessing game when the programme actually starts. Ensure this document has examples of the types of plastics to be recycled.
3. Apply for the recycling receptacle
Visit https://recyclingja.com/index.php/become-recycler/request-a-recycling-receptacle and fill out the form to apply for the appropriate recycling receptacle. If the community is interested in earning monies from the sale of the bottles to Recycling Partners of Jamaica, the payment card can be applied for here: https://recyclingja.com/index.php/become-recycler/sign-up-payment
4. Meet again
Once the receptacle is scheduled for delivery, meet with the residents again to go over the process and responsibilities… again. This is also an opportunity to have a representative from Recycling Partners of Jamaica present to answer any questions that may arise.
5. Decide on penalties
Unfortunately, there are always going to be persons who don’t immediately comply with processes. At that final meeting, decide on what the agreed penalties for persons who don’t use the recycling receptacle for the intended purpose, and what the course of action will be if there is repeated non-compliance from multiple persons.
6. Begin the recycling
Recycling can begin the moment the cage is delivered!
