West Marin Community Outreach
Client: County of Marin
Date: October 2021 - September 2022 Highlights √ Envirolutions Consulting contracted with the County of Marin, Solid Waste Division for recycling outreach, education and waste diversion per SB 1383, AB 341, and AB 1826 requirements in unincorporated West Marin. √ Envirolutions worked hand-in-hand with Recology Sonoma-Marin to identify non-compliant accounts, verify service levels and points of contact, and establish collaborative approaches to best serve the targeted customers. √ Utilizing educational materials that both the County and Recology had developed, Envirolutions provided customers with information required to set up effective waste diversion programs. √ Envirolutions was able to identify 10 accounts that could benefit from immediate front-of-house (FOH) 3- stream container systems, and/or kitchen containers for the separating of organic materials, and are in the process of receiving training. Project Overview
The County of Marin, Solid Waste Division awarded Envirolutions Consulting the contract for Recycling Outreach in West Marin from October 2021 - September 2022. The County solicitation was for a qualified proposer that could support public outreach, education, and waste diversion activities beneficial to businesses and schools in the communities of Dillon Beach, Inverness, Marshall, Nicasio, Olema, West Petaluma, Point Reyes Station, San Geronimo, and Tomales. Additionally, the project also included potential Tier I and II Edible Food Generators as per SB 1383 mandates. Envirolutions started working with targeted non-compliant accounts in spring of 2022. These accounts were targeted due to their need for immediate outreach to meet the requirements of AB 341, AB 1826, and SB 1383. Envirolutions worked hand-in-hand with Recology Sonoma-Marin to identify non-compliant accounts, verify service levels and points of contact, and establish collaborative approaches to best serve the targeted customers. Because a unified data tracking system was not yet in place to identify, aggregate and track accounts that required outreach, the Envirolutions team developed a database that documented correct service levels, recorded technical assistance and outreach activities, identified service gaps and captured updated contact information. Moving forward, service providers and the County will be able to access real-time data via the Recyclist database tool, and technical assistance should be more streamlined and collaborative. A foundation has now been established between the Envirolutions team, Recology, the County, and commercial accounts, and we have confidence that the stage has been set for future technical assistance success in the region. |
Community Outreach
Envirolutions Consulting was tasked with providing outreach focused on regulatory compliance in the West Marin region, in partnership with the service provider Recology Sonoma-Marin. Outreach to commercial accounts that were documented as being out of compliance with either organics or recycling service were our primary targets. Of these targets: √ 43% were provided regulatory info via email √ 100% were reached by phone √ 32% received in-person training/assistance √ 27% received printed regulatory info and educational materials √ 8% of sites were verified for alternative compliance status √ 8 accounts added organics service √ 1 added recycling service Building rapport with the accounts was crucial to project success. As representatives of Zero Waste Marin, the Envirolutions team increased trust and presence in the community as ambassadors. Utilizing educational materials that both the County and Recology had developed, Envirolutions provided customers with information required to set up effective waste diversion programs, furthered understanding of how regulations might affect them, and advised on how to avoid future enforcement actions. Internal Container Distribution & SB 1383 Training
Envirolutions worked with County Waste Management Specialist Andrew Shelton to identify food-service sector accounts that could benefit from receiving interior bins. Our combined efforts were focused on the diversion of organic and recyclable material from landfill. SB 1383 requires that all containers (trash/recycle/organics) be co-located and equally convenient, color-coded to match their exterior collection containers, and be clearly labeled. Targets for this assistance included cafes, restaurants, mixed-use stores/markets, and restaurants. Through generous funding from the County of Marin, our team was able to identify 10 accounts that could benefit from immediate front-of-house (FOH) 3- stream container systems, and/or kitchen containers for the separating of organic materials. At the time of this report, these accounts are in the process of receiving these systems and receiving training. As the project moves forward, Envirolutions will continue to assess targeted commercial, multi-family, and school sites to provide outreach and education. Our assistance will include but is not limited to conducting waste assessments, “right-sizing” waste services, making recommendations for internal bin placement, providing outreach materials such as posters and brochures, and hosting trainings, in Spanish when needed. We will continue to distribute internal containers, conduct outreach to Tier I and II generators, provide support for SB 1383 reporting and lastly, will provide event greening support and tabling at community events that happen in the region. |