WGP Credit 8: Education and Engagement Programs on Litter & Source Reduction and Reuse (2 points)
Reciprocal
Intent:
Reduce litter and waste generation and disposal through public education and Local Government Employee training programs.
Local Government and Industry Requirements:
Implement Local Government or Company Employee Training Programs.[1]
Publish and promote online resources that provide an overview of the overall waste management program and the material management process occurring at facilities owned by the Local Government or the Company.
Educational Program(s) on Inbound Contamination
Develop education and/or information programs on inbound contamination. Demonstrate that the information can reach at least 80 percent of the customers in the Local Government’s jurisdiction or in the Company’s service area.
● Provide on-site public educational tours of the waste management facilities operated by the Local Government or the Company.
● Conduct Local Government or Company staff training programs on waste prevention.
● Training programs to teach EPP (environmentally preferable products) requirements guidelines in Local Government or Company procurement.
● Develop and/or develop procurement collaboratives to share guidelines for EPP with procurement departments of various departments or other institutions, such as local school districts, as well as retail establishments.
○ In the case that a city/county does not have the capacity to create these programs, partner with a product stewardship organization(s), such as PSI or NSAC for support.
○ Post the plan and strategy on the Local Government jurisdiction or Company’s website.
○ Send out regular emails and links to the EPP section of the Local Government’s or Company’s internal website.
○ Social media campaign/marketing on multiple platforms
Education Programs on Source Reduction, Reuse, and Disposal
Develop education and/or information programs on source reduction, reuse, and proper materials disposal. Demonstrate that the information can reach at least 80 percent of the customers in the Local Government’s jurisdiction or within the Company’s service area.
The educational components should include the following:
● A website and physical materials, e.g. calendars & refrigerator magnets, that are regularly distributed and posted in public areas.
● Social media campaign/marketing on multiple platforms
● Example tools and materials include school modules, educational activities designed for both children and adults, downloadable PDF posters clearly listing materials accepted in recycling streams, etc. e.g. Marking storm drains that empty directly into local water bodies.
○ Demonstrate that information about the program is accessible to 80 percent or more of the community and/or customers in the Company’s service area.
○ Establish continual litter prevention and reduction efforts which may include any of all of the following: government or civic based community organization, youth and adult education programs including behavior change campaigns such as messaging in the community or Company’s service area (i.e. slogans such as “Don’t Mess with Texas”).
● Option 1: Pursue as an independent entity.
● Option 2: Partner with an organization (i.e. non-profit)
● Promote litter prevention through sponsored area cleanups (i.e. parks, beaches, highways, etc.).
Required Information:
Information on how to reduce material consumption and channels for reuse of materials:
● Current list of materials accepted for curbside collection (link to another credit later on).
● Current list of materials not accepted for curbside collection.
● Drop-off locations for materials not accepted curbside.
● Information on household hazardous waste.
In the case that a city/county does not have the capacity/ability to create these materials, Partner with Environmental Education groups such as the state’s Recycling Organization or Department for Environmental Quality; or other nonprofits.
Potential Strategies
● Ballot bins (fun questions for people to vote with their litter).
● Slogans that curb littering behavior (e.g. Don’t Mess with Texas; “Dunna Chuck Bruck”: sample programs that put the community first in litter prevention campaign.).
● Promote public education programs that:
○ Encourage, amplify and reinforce residents to utilize waste reduction infrastructure, such as ‘tool libraries’, ‘repair cafes’, and corporate sponsored programs (e.g. Patagonia repair bus), etc.
○ Teach the public how to reduce consumption and reuse products.
● Excess packaging; product durability; buying used, etc.
● Post notice of products available for reuse, etc. online and in Waste Exchanges
● Education programs on Food waste Prevention & reuse geared toward children, families and businesses.
● Public information on existing partnerships/programs with companies that handle hard-to-recycle items (e.g. Best Buy’s TVs recycling programs, Terracycle, etc.)
[1] Education & Training to encompass all facilities (MRF, Landfill, Transfer Station WTE, Gasification, etc.).
