Initiative Helps Ann Arbor, MI Residents Identify, Break Bad Recycling Habits

SEATTLE (Waste Advantage): The City of Ann Arbor has been participating in the “Feet on the Street” campaign, an initiative to improve recycling quality for residents. The campaign, which runs through Aug. 5, provides Ann Arbor residents with real-time curbside recycling education and feedback. Single-family homes received postcards in June indicating what to recycle and what not to recycle.

Currently, cart-tagging staff, wearing high visibility vests lift lids of the designated residential homes who signed up for the program and look inside bins prior to it being emptied into the recycling truck. They then provide individual specific feedback as needed. If a cart-tagger sees something that doesn’t belong, an orange “oops” tag is placed on the cart with feedback on how to fix the issue. If that same non-recyclable material is found in a future visit, the cart is tagged with a red flag and will not be serviced until the item is removed.

When the program ends, residents will get a postcard indicating what items were prevalent and problematic. The initiative is funded by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy and The Recycling Partnership.

Courtesy: www.wasteadvantage.com