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[GreenYes] PLASTICS RECYCLING IN THE CARIBBEAN


Title: [GreenYes] PLASTICS RECYCLING IN THE CARIBBEAN




I am attempting to establish a plastics recycling programme in St Lucia, in the Caribbean, along with a local NGO.

The island, like many others throughout the Caribbean, is blighted by plastic litter, primarily soft drink bottles. So, we are planning to establish a recycling programme, focusing, in the first instance, on the numerous large hotels. Our intention is to collect all plastics and process them on island, and produce a low quality product such as roofing tiles, at a pilot level.

We already have funding for the programme, and the local hotel association have provided assurances that they will purchase the roofing tiles from us.

Therefore, I would much appreciate any advice from those who may have been involved in similar programmes elsewhere. In particular, I am interested to learn about the recommended equipment, such as shredders and moulds, plus the basic process, and any things to be wary of.

Any advice is much appreciated.

Regards, Mike Cowing.





----------------------------------------
> From: Russell.Klein@no.address
> To:
> Subject: [GreenYes] Municipal Recycling Sticker Programs - Share Info
> Date: Fri, 1 Jun 2007 07:22:12 -0700
>
>
> David gave a terrific response here and it was much appreciated.
>
> Although our program, in DC, is just about to begin a pilot stage, we
> are still interested in hearing from others, even if you just forward
> us documents regarding your standard ops, public literature or website
> info.
>
> Thanks everyone,
> Russell
> ________________________________________________
>
> >From David Biddle:
>
> It worked for Philly in the mid-90s to use static cling decals coupled
> with
> inspection and enforcement work. Our SWEEP officers were fully tasked
> to go
> out into the business districts looking for a list of recycling
> compliance
> issues. If folks passed they got a sticker. If not, they got a warning
> and
> two weeks to comply. Generally, everyone complied and today, more
> than a
> decade later, some of these buildings still have the stickers near
> their
> street front entryways.
>
> The mix of enforcement and incentive really captured our media as
> well. On
> the program kickoff day we had two major radio stations and our ABC
> affiliate following us around, plus interviews on Fox News and NBC
> News
> (local).
>
> In order to get the buzz going, we¹d spent close to six months with a
> PR
> consultant beating the bushes. I was interviewed on several radio
> stations
> and posted several editorials in the Phila. Inquirer sort of warning
> folks
> this was coming and talking about the virtues of smart office
> recycling,
> etc. One thing I know now that I didn¹t back then is that most media
> outlets
> really want to report positive stories with hands on, real life
> anectdotal
> evidence. Trash is bad Recycling is good. We should have set up some
> sort of
> media bus and done our press conference at a landfill or transfer
> station,
> then moved the show to five or six sites where our inspectors were and
> then
> finished at facilities that we knew were already in compliance.
>
> One last thing: the decal itself was key. We spent a gob of cash to
> have a
> graphic design firm go through options and test groups and more
> options,
> etc. Size, aesthetics, message, etc. were are key. In the end we
> settled on
> a simple message (³Philadelphia Commercial Recycler²) and the
> aesthetics
> were a stylized chasing arrows in blue the shape of the liberty bell
> surrounding the Philadelphia Recycling Office logo with the year at
> the
> bottom. If I were to do it all over again, I would make available a
> high
> quality, stand with a really nicely colored plaque for purchase (at
> cost)
> for high-end buildings such as luxury hotels and office high-rises. Or
> maybe
> a series of options.
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> db
> --
> David Biddle, Executive Director
>
> Greater Philadelphia Commercial Recycling Council
> P.O. Box 4037
> Philadelphia, PA 19118
>
> 215-247-3090 (desk)
> 215-432-8225 (cell)
>
>
>
> Read In Business magazine to learn about sustainable
> businesses in communities across North America!
> Go to:
>
> on 3/23/07 6:16 PM, RecycleBizCzar at Russell.Kl...@no.address wrote:
>
> > Dear All,
>
> > The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (www.mwcog.org) is
> > working on a regional storefront window sticker program to recognize
> > businesses who comply with local recycling regulations.
>
> > Our office would like to hear from program directors, etc. out there
> > who have useful anecdotes to send, privately if necessary, describing
> > how they launched their programs (in terms of PR; getting the word
> > out) and what sort of unexpected setbacks and/or community responses
> > occurred?
>
> > Also, on a technical note: if you are using a storefront window
> > sticker, how did/do you address large commercial properties (multiple
> > tenants, big marble lobbies, etc.)?
>
> > Thanks for the consideration.
>
> > ___________________________________________
>
> > Russell Klein
> > Community Environmental Education Specialist, D.C. Office of
> > Recycling
> > D.C. Department of Public Works
> > 202-645-8505 Direct Ext.
> > 202-645-8245 Hotline
> > 202-645-8518 Fax
>
> > Rethink. Reduce. Reuse... And then Recycle.
>
>
> >





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