6.A.
City Council Meeting - FINAL
- Meeting Date:
- 04/03/2018
- From:
- Dylan Lenzen, Zero Waste Coordinator
Information
TITLE:
Master Recycler Program Update and Recognition
STAFF RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Informational update and recognition.
Executive Summary:
The Master Recycler Program is a volunteer outreach corps trained on waste-related topics. Volunteers participate in an extensive eight-week training course that features presentations on recycling, waste prevention, composting, sustainable behavior change, working with youth and more. Following completion of the course, graduates commit to completing at least thirty (30) hours of volunteer service by providing waste-related outreach in the community.
The Program strives to bridge the gap between awareness and action and motivate people to reduce waste in their homes and workplaces. Sustainability staff recently concluded the second Master Recycler Program training course and would like to recognize the 2018 graduates.
The Program strives to bridge the gap between awareness and action and motivate people to reduce waste in their homes and workplaces. Sustainability staff recently concluded the second Master Recycler Program training course and would like to recognize the 2018 graduates.
Financial Impact:
In 2017, the first class of Master Recycler volunteers collectively completed a total of 406 volunteer hours and reached over 12,000 Flagstaff residents through direct outreach. This is an estimated value of more than $10,000.00.
Policy Impact:
None.
Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan and/or Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan:
CLIMATE CHANGE: Take meaningful climate change action. Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.
REGIONAL PLAN:
Policy E&C.2.1. Encourage the reduction of all energy consumption, especially fossil-fuel generated energy, in public, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
Policy E.1.3. Empower all community members to make smarter energy choices through education and incentives.
ENVIRONMENTAL AND NATURAL RESOURCES: Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.
REGIONAL PLAN:
Policy E&C.2.1. Encourage the reduction of all energy consumption, especially fossil-fuel generated energy, in public, commercial, industrial, and residential sectors.
Policy E.1.3. Empower all community members to make smarter energy choices through education and incentives.
Previous Council Decision on This:
The Rethink Waste Plan was adopted in October 2017 which established a zero waste goal for the community by 2050.
Background and History:
The Master Recycler Program was created in 2017 to provide waste-related outreach and inspire sustainable behaviors. The Program is a volunteer outreach corps trained on waste-related topics through an extensive eight-week course that features industry experts and field trips to local waste processing and recycling facilities.
Key Considerations:
Thirty (30) community members completed this year’s course, which covered topics such as curbside recycling, re-use, food waste prevention, sustainable behavior change and more. The 2018 Master Recyclers will join the twenty-nine (29) 2017 graduates. As a requirement of the course, the Master Recyclers commit to completing at least thirty (30) hours of volunteer service by providing waste-related outreach in the Flagstaff community.
Community Involvement:
In 2017, the first class of Master Recycler volunteers collectively completed a total of 406 volunteer hours and reached over 12,000 Flagstaff residents through direct outreach. Approximately fifty percent (50%) of the conversations Master Recyclers had with community members focused on the topic of curbside recycling. They also talked to the public about how to be more thoughtful consumers, the importance of fixing and reusing items, and sustainable building. These direct forms of outreach are key to promoting sustainable behaviors and achieving Council’s climate and waste-related goals.
Expanded Options and Alternatives:
Inform: Master Recyclers receive in-depth knowledge of Flagstaff's waste system and future goals as part of the course and continued involvement.
Involve: Staff seeks the feedback of Master Recyclers as part of course and after to evaluate efforts and future vision.
Collaborate: Following the Master Recycler course, volunteers assist staff in implementing waste-related programming by educating and empowering fellow community members and businesses.
Involve: Staff seeks the feedback of Master Recyclers as part of course and after to evaluate efforts and future vision.
Collaborate: Following the Master Recycler course, volunteers assist staff in implementing waste-related programming by educating and empowering fellow community members and businesses.