Solid Waste Recycling Program

Recycling Program             

Numerous recycling options are available, and recycling programme development requires strategic planning. Planning for recycling involves understanding markets, assessing local expertise, setting goals and fostering public participation. An efficient recycling programme requires a systematic approach to all programme  components,  which are interrelated, and  therefore, decisions about one must be made taking  into consideration other components. As a successful recycling requires  public  participation,  programmes  must  be designed keeping in view public convenience and support.

(i) Build local expertise:  Small projects help build local expertise in recycling and minimise the problems  associated with poor planning. With small- scale projects,  it  is  easy  to  compare  and  evaluate  the  programmes and techniques that are considered most successful within the community. When the time comes to develop a large-scale programme, there   will be practical experience and an established decision-making framework, which will enhance the programme's success.    

(ii) Understand and develop a  re cycling market:  While planning for a recycling programme, it is important to find an outlet for the recyclable material. Market analysis is both a planning and ongoing activity, as even the most suc recycling programme can be severely affected by market fluctuations. Re programmes must, therefore, be designed with the flexibility to handle fluctuating and uncertain outlets for material.

(iii)                            Foster public education and involvement: Public participation is one of the most important factors deciding a programme's success. The public has a right and a responsibility to understand the full costs and liabilities of managing the waste they produce. A well-planned public education and involvement programme will foster public interest in recycling.

(iv)          Assess local waste stream: Planning any recycling programme requires the knowledge of the local waste stream. Choosing the right material to recycle and designing the

logistics  of  the  programme  are  the  important  parts  of  the planning process.

(v)                               Augment existing programme: Recycling should augment the success that has been attained by other groups operating recycling programmes. This is very important for planning and success. Other programmes may be run by local volunteer organisations to raise funds or as a community service.

(vi)                            Set goals and objectives: Part of the planning process involves setting goals and objectives. The preliminary assessment of waste stream helps in deciding long-term goals for a community. Planning objectives may include determining the type of waste stream component that should be programmed, investigating the feasibility of the

curbside (kerbside) programme, public outreach avenues, etc. The community will benefit from carefully developed achievable goals and objectives, and from an integrated approach to waste management (see Unit 10 for a detailed discussion of the integrated approach to waste management).

(vii)Coordinate  the  programme:  Recycling  programme  is  considered  a public  service. Therefore, local  governments  are  required  to ensure  that  all services are provided properly. Like   any   other   public   service, recycling programmes should be consistent, predictable, equitable and efficient. 

(viii) Evaluate the programme: New   programmes and technologies   are evolving  continuously, which  make  the planning  for  recycling  an ongoing process. This requires experiment and evaluation. Even the best recycling programmes experiment with new techniques to improve on their current efforts.