Education increases city’s recycling rate
Since Baton Rouge, La., launched a recycling education campaign in November, the city’s recycling rate has increased 16.4 percent, by more than 3.5 pounds per household per week.
“Cart it! Create a Recycling Tradition in Baton Rouge” encourages residents to more diligently deposit all of their recyclables in their 64-gallon carts. The city began using the carts in early 2006, replacing a system that required residents to separate plastics, papers and glass for pickup. As a result of the single-stream collection system, residents increased recycling rates 35 percent, but the city wanted to raise rates even more. Working with the Curbside Value Partnership, the city launched the education campaign last fall, which included billboard, bus shelter and library displays, and print, radio and TV ads. For more information, visit www.RecycleCurbside.org.