CAROLINA RECYCLING ASSOSICATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Asheville, NC Multifamily Recycling

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Summary of Services

Multifamily: (≥30 units in community) •  Multifamily units are apartments, townhomes and condos •  Weekly garbage (dumpster or compactor) collection •  Weekly recycling collection

•  October 2001, multifamily properties required to set aside space for recycling stations. Each recycling station represents space for five 96-gallon carts and is approximately 144 sq. ft. A property may have as many recycling carts as requested and space accommodates.

•  Weekly recyclable and non-recyclable bulk collection •  Annual Christmas tree collection •  Republic Services is current vendor, contract expires

June 30, 2015

Service Levels

Garbage & Recycling Service Levels

•  750 properties receive garbage collection services ~111,000 units

•  Nearly 70% properties participate in recycling program •  Recycling tonnage

•  FY2012: 3,641 tons •  FY2013: 3,824 tons •  FY2014: 2,800 tons (thru Feb 2014, on target to

exceed prior year tons collected) •  Balanced Scorecard Measure add 32 properties to

participate in recycling program; prior year goal was to add 20 properties

Challenges

•  Lack of space/ space constraints within the unit and in the garbage & recycling area on site

•  Suitable recyclable storage containers •  Distance from units to garbage & recycling area •  Property Owner and Tenant Engagement •  Placement of bulk items for collection •  Language barrier—recycling is new concept

Partnerships

Recycling & WIN Single Family (Residential) •  February 1, 2009- January 31, 2010

•  City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County •  10 prizes per week, total of 520 prizes awarded •  $50 Harris Teeter gift cards

•  November 1, 2010- April 30, 2011 •  City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County •  10 prizes per week, total of 260 prizes awarded •  $100 Harris Teeter gift cards

•  June 17, 2013- December 14, 2013 •  City of Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, Concord, Harrisburg & Kannapolis •  15 prizes per week, total of 390 prizes awarded

•  $50 Harris Teeter gift cards *Red Moon Marketing fulfilled prizes and mailed out all gift cards to winner.

Partnerships

•  Charlotte Multifamily Recycling Goal: Develop a program targeting Multifamily Households to promote

recycling • 12 week program: May 6th thru August 5th, 2013 • 9 Apartment Complexes in Mecklenburg County (2,005 total units) • 3 apartment complexes per property income level (low, medium and high) • 1 complex from each of the income levels participating in each of the 3 methods: *1) Recycling Pledge and Bag *2) Caught Green Handed *3) Recycle and Win Photo Submission

•  Red Moon Marketing fulfilled prizes- $25 Harris Teeter gift cards

Partnerships

•  Recycling Pledge and Bag • Participants: – Property A: 237 Units / 250 Bags – Property B: 276 Units / 300 Bags – Property C: 183 Units / 200 Bags • Total 696 Units / 750 Bags

• Complex Managers made sure residents received their reusable recycle bag • Message driving residents to visit www.cokerecycleandwin.com to take the pledge to use their bag and recycle • By taking the pledge, residents were entered for the chance to win a $25 Harris Teeter gift card (One entry per household per week. Only allowed to win once)

• Recycling Can/Can’t information from the City was inserted in each bag

• 22 winners

Partnerships

Partnerships

Get Caught Green Handed

Participants: – Property A: 145 Units – Property B: 178 Units – Property C: 96 Units • Total 419 Units

• Prize Patrol was stationed at recycling locations on site at apartments on different dates and times throughout the promotional period • Prizes were awarded on site

• 116 winners

Partnerships

Partnerships

Recycle & Win Photo

Participants: – Property A: 278 Units – Property B: 312 Units – Property C: 276 Units • Total 866 Units

• Residents were asked to take photos of themselves recycling and submit them via email. • Photos were chosen at random

• 1 winner

Partnerships

Recycle & Win Photo: Winner

Results

Tons Collected 4 weeks prior to pilot

3.20 tons

4 weeks during Pilot Program

4.40 tons

4 weeks post pilot

6.01 tons

Communications Summary

Communication for all Scenarios Customized to each complex and how they communicate with their residents – Posters around the complex – Inclusion in Complex Newsletter – Complex Facebook Page – Door Hanger – Mailbox Stuffer

Since the pilot….. *properties have increased number of recycling stations *increased communication with property managers *increased annual target in number of properties adding recycling *pizza boxes now accepted in recycling stream! Possibility to use as target to increase recycling participation

Questions?

Thanks!

Mavis Gant

Multifamily Contract Administrator 704-432-3537 mgant@charlottenc.gov