One of the most effective ways to measure the success of a recycling program is to look at the number of citizens participating in the program. Obtaining high participation rates enables cities to continue and expand basic recycling collection and processing programs. These rates can be achieved through the use of innovative programs that make recycling more convenient and provide incentives to reduce waste. Studies and research can provide local recycling programs with information that is useful to the program’s planning process. This information has the ability to influence decisions such as how and where to expand recycling programs and what audiences should be targeted for outreach and education.

Almost 40 percent of housing in the North Central Texas region is considered multi-family, including structures with three or more units such as apartments, townhouses, and condominiums. Although a few cities in the region have successfully implemented multi-family recycling programs, the majority of these multi-family complexes do not have recycling programs. The region would benefit from more cities implementing multi-family housing recycling programs in their waste management programs. These programs divert waste from landfills, thereby reducing the need for disposal capacity.

In order to reach our objectives to reduce waste, the region needs to first establish a baseline benchmark of residential recycling efforts using a standardized format. It then needs to continue tracking waste reduction efforts on an annual basis. Obtaining this data will produce useful information for planning and decision-making on waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling. In addition this information will enable local governments to compare annual recycling rates and track their own progress.

Waste produced from the commercial sector represents the fastest growing portion of the region’s municipal waste stream. Commercial generators include a wide spectrum of activities from neighborhood convenience stores to banks and office buildings to large industries. Also included in the commercial waste stream are educational institutions, government institutions, hospitals, jails, and military installations. Already composing as much as 35 percent of the region’s municipal waste stream, commercial waste will only become more of a concern as its production continues to grow. More efforts should be directed toward reducing the output of this significant source of waste.

Construction and demolition waste can occupy as much as 20 percent of the wastes found in landfills. Educating builders to reduce and reuse materials whenever possible will help reduce the amount of waste being disposed. Encouraging builders to deconstruct buildings instead of demolishing them will create more reusable building materials and will divert more waste from landfills. When buildings are demolished a good deal of the waste can be recycled. Diversion and reuse projects for steel, wood, asphalt, and concrete can be very effective in reducing the burden on landfills. Throughout the nation, growing cities have been very successful in connecting builders with recyclers and creating a profitable partnership for both businesses. Builders recognize a significant savings on disposal costs and the recyclers are provided with a guaranteed stream of quality supply. Establishing these partnerships can also facilitate the handling of demolition waste resulting from natural disasters and other emergencies.

In order to reach our objectives to reduce waste, this region needs to first establish a baseline benchmark of commercial recycling efforts (this includes: multifamily, drop-off locations, private haulers, construction and demolition recyclers, and processors) in the region using a standardized format. It then needs to continue tracking waste reduction efforts on an annual basis. Obtaining this data will produce useful information for planning and decision-making on waste prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling. In addition this information will provide accurate, up-to-date numbers for recycling market development.

Outreach and education programs enable the public to better understand and participate in waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling programs. Education can motivate constituents to realize the potential economic opportunities and environmental benefits of waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling. Part of this education should encourage local businesses to prominently display recycled products and educate consumers to buy recycled products. To improve effectiveness of our outreach and educational efforts, publications and programs need to be evaluated and revised regularly. In a growing region, audiences tend to change over time and these education tools will need to be updated to reach new target audiences.

New and innovative technologies are critical to support our objectives to reduce waste. Innovative technologies can provide opportunities to increase waste prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling, thereby reducing the need for disposal capacity. New technologies can also improve the effectiveness of collection, processing, recycling, and remanufacturing.