EPA – Public Recycling Workshop

2. EPA – Public Recycling Workshop Scott Pomeroy Environmental Programs Manager Downtown Business Improvement District November 13, 2008

3. Greening Downtown DC:Strategies for Protecting Planet, People and Profit • Spring of 2008 – Downtown BID: • develops comprehensive set of programs and services • serves as facilitator and catalyst • forms partnerships to: • undertake research • establish measures • communicate information • convene training session www.downtowndc.org/leadership

4. Greening Downtown DC:Strategies for Protecting Planet, People and Profit Effort targets four interrelated areas: • Greening New and Existing Buildings • Educating Tenants on Green Best Practices • Enhancing Transportation Options Improving Public Spaces

5. Greening Downtown DC:Strategies for Protecting Planet, People and Profit Improving Public Spaces: Public environment can be enhanced to embody all the characteristics of a sustainable green environment. The BID has focused its efforts in areas such as: •Installing energy efficient LED light bulbs in street lights • Providing a healthy tree canopy in Downtown DC • Partnering with National Park Service to enhance and maintain Downtown parks • Developing Eco-Friendly Street Vending models Providing Public Space Recycling Containers

6. Public Space Recycling Program Background The Downtown BID analyzed several national programs including: New York City Public Parks program • three separate color coded containers Pittsburg and Baltimore model • single container with advertising panels Capital Hill model • Victor Stanley can – painted black with recycling labels

7. Public Space Recycling Program Can Selection Decision after meetings with the DC Department of Public Works and Department of Transportation representatives: The Victor Stanley SD - 42 • Similar Victor Stanley is the streetscape standard for Downtown Vibrant blue color matches residential recycling cans Can establishes a distinctive presence on the public sidewalks • •

8. Public Space Recycling Program Partnership Development Key public recycling program element – the development of critical partnerships in order to define roles and responsibilities. Department of Public Works – can purchase and recycling disposal Downtown BID Safety and Maintenance Team (SAMs)– recycling pick-up and delivery American Beverage Association – program marketing and education

9. Public Space Recycling Program Location Analysis The Downtown SAMS conducted a month long comprehensive analysis of the existing contents of trash cans throughout the Downtown BID service area. Results of the analysis were: Downtown BID picks up anywhere from 13,000 – 16,000 bags of trash a month Recyclable content in trash cans ranged from 15-90% depending upon location Depending upon location newspapers or plastic bottles were the most prevalent recyclables

10. Public Space Recycling Program Recycling Can Placement The twenty-five cans were strategically placed in locations that would enable the Downtown BID to answer questions such as: Should recycling cans be partnered with trash cans? Does placement near fast food restaurants effect contamination rates? What types of locations would result in the greatest diversion of recyclables?

11. • • • Public Space Recycling Program Program Launch July 28th press conference at 13th & G launched the six-month pilot program by locating 25 cans throughout downtown. Participants included: Mayor Adrian Fenty DPW Director Bill Howland, DOE Director George Hawkins, American Beverage Association President and CEO Susan Neely Downtown BID Board Chair, Matt Klein, President of Akridge Downtown BID Executive Director Rich Bradley • • •

12. Public Space Recycling Program One Month Analysis Building upon the trash analysis, the Downtown BID analyzed the contents at each location to determine the amount of each type of recyclable as well as the major contaminants. Some of the findings were: Recycling cans must be partnered with trash cans When trash and recycling cans are partnered – minimum of 80% of recycling can contents are recyclable with average at 87% Styrofoam is the most prevalent contaminant

13. Public Space Recycling Program Three Month Update Spot check analysis over the next two months confirmed that conclusions based upon the first months initial analysis remained consistent. Several next steps are planned such as: Relocating cans that are not currently partnered with trash cans Customizing the educational materials to determine effectiveness Identifying additional locations and partnerships to test

14. Public Space Recycling Program Final Three Months (4-6) Recognizing the success of the program the goals for the final three months are to provide a case study that analyzes and addresses the barriers and costs of expanding the program throughout the BID and the city by: Evaluating the cost of servicing the program using the SAMS Identifying partnerships that can be leveraged Determining the value of the contents being recycled Reconfirming the location types that result in the greatest diversion rates

15. Public Space Recycling Program Contact Information Scott PomeroyEnvironmental Programs ManagerDowntown DC Business Improvement District1250 H Street NW – Suite 1000Washington DC, 20005 www.downtowndc.org/green scott@downtowndc.org 202.661.7580