How to Increase Your Recycling Rate

Even with the smallest of budgets, you have the ability to increase your community’s recycling rate. Here are two easy tips to raise your recycling rate without depleting your budget.

Take Advantage of Community Newsletters
Whether through your community sponsored newletter or one from a local civic group, no other publication reaches your residents so specifically. Here are a few article ideas that will motivate your residents to Get a Bin and start recycling!

• Focus on the amount recycled in the last year

• Explain the benefits - both environmental and economic

• Give an overview of the recycling process - where does it go and what does it become

Another great way to motivate residents is to have an elected official, whether it be a mayor, trustee, or council member, endorse the program. Just like a celebrity endorsement, residents will be more motivated to participate if they know community leadership backs the program. A few simple paragraphs signed by an elected official can go a long way.

Send Residents a Direct Mail Piece
Sending all your residents a colorful postcard is a great way to grab their attention. Make sure to include information on how to get a recycling bin (or find the nearest drop-off) and what materials residents can recycle. Research has shown that one of the main reasons residents choose not to participate is that they just don’t know how. Make it easy for them and they will start recycling.

The District has designed many direct mail pieces in the past and would be glad to offer our assistance. Call Michelle Balz at (513) 946-7789 to learn more about the assistance the District can provide.