Dive Brief:
- The nonprofit Recycling Partnership, based in Falls Church, VA, is giving Roanoke, VA a grant to help spread the word about its improved recycling program and to support cart distribution, which will begin in mid-August.
- In the past year, Roanoke has moved from a dual-stream collection program that alternated weeks for fiber and containers, to a fully automated program with carts at each household and RFID (radio frequency identification) readers to track participation.
- The Recycling Partnership reported that its three other 2014 grant recipients, Florence, AL; Columbia, SC; and Richmond, VA, are well on their way with program transitions.
Dive Insight:
Successful recycling starts with residents, and informing them about how a program works is key. The city of Roanoke now has a customized education campaign to support cart distribution and keep residents up to speed with recycling efforts.
The Recycling Partnership, formerly known as the Curbside Value Partnership, is increasing its industry presence, notably with the addition of partner Waste Management in March. Other cities in the partnership include Blacksburg, VA, Charlotte, NC and Cleveland.
