Memorandum
DATE: March 2, 2005
TO: City of Lawrence Management Team and City Commissioners
FROM: Mollie Mangerich, Operations Supervisor
Waste Reduction and Recycling Division
RE: Public Education and Information regarding Restricted Containers for Yard Trimmings: Implementation begins Monday March 7, 2005
Public Education regarding the use of preferred containers for yard trimmings has been ongoing since 2000 through a planned campaign of neighborhood-based pilot programs, retail partnerships and a multi-media campaign. Five years of voluntary efforts resulted in a 46% preferred container set out rate for yard waste within the City of Lawrence.
In preparation for March 7th implementation of the modified City Code (9-403.25) regarding acceptable containers for yard waste, special emphasis in advertising and outreach has occurred. Beginning in late 2004 and continuing throughout 2005 additional, targeted media has been utilized as we begin implementation of restricted types of containers for yard trimmings to “cans, carts, and compostable bags”. No Plastic Bags will be collected at the curb containing yard trimmings beginning March 7, 2005. All yard trimmings in plastic bags will be tagged and left onsite. Plastic bags may continue to be used for regular trash.
The following documentation reveals recent and current media efforts underway to continue providing information to citizens.
Print Advertising:
Lawrence Journal World
The Lawrencian
University Daily Kansan
Direct Mail:
Target: Residential Sanitation rate payers
Postcard; N= >26,000
Mailed: Early March, 2005
Target: All Pilot Program participants
Letter; N= 1,052
Mailed: Early October, 2004
Utility Bill Inserts (2004 – 2005)
February 2005: Yard Trimmings Prefered Containers
April 2005: 3 Ways to HandleYard Trimmings
May 2005: Clopyralid and Compost
September 2005: Yard Waste Preferred Containers
March 2004: Clopyralid
April 2004: 3 Ways to HandleYard Trimmings
October 2004: Yard Trimmings Preferred Containers
Radio: KLWN and KLZR
Television:
Sunflower Broadband (March, 2005)
Weather Channel rolling line (March, 2005)
Bus boards: N=4 boards
Websites: www.LawrenceRecycles.org
Point of Purchase Hang Tags at Participating Retailers
Employee Education: Intranet, Phoenix Newsletters, sales of compostable kraft paper bags, information sheet included with Feb 24th paystubs
Articles: The City Connection Newsletter: (2004 and 2005)
Lawrence Journal World
The Lawrencian (Nov 2004; March 2005)
Nonprofits: Sold kraft paper yard waste bags as fundraisers (2002-2005)
Extensive Outreach to Neighborhood Association Meetings & Lawrence Association oaf Neighborhood Meeting s (2004- 2005)
Neighborhood-Based Pilot Programs: Incepted since 2000.
Over 22 Neighborhood Associations participated; over 1,050 households participated.
Retailers: Current and potential carriers of compostable yard waste bags notified of ordinance change both in person (onsite visit) and letter, (Fall 2004) and (Spring 2005)
Hangtags at Point of Purchase at participating retail partners (2004-2005)