Germantown launches recycling campaign
Germantown residents might notice an “Oops” or "Praise" tag placed on the handle of your recycling bin.
It's all part of the "Recycle the Right Way" education campaign launched by the city in conjunction with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.
As part of the initiative, residents should have received a postcard highlighting materials that should — and should not — be placed in recycling carts. Because of the state of recycling markets, it is important that only the correct materials be placed in the recycle cart.
The city also has contractors walking the streets in Germantown as part of the "Feet on the Street" program. On July 23, recycling specialists started reviewing cart contents and looking for proper recycling and improper recycling.
For 10 weeks, they will leave either a “Praise” or “Oops” tag on the handle of the bin. The “Oops” tag informs residents of items that are not acceptable in the cart.
No information on individual addresses will be collected.
The program also allows the city to gain an understanding of areas that need further communication related to recycling.
Once the key problems are identified, followup messaging will address those specific areas.
"Even avid recyclers sometimes
place incorrect materials in the recycle carts,” said Joe Nunes, the city’s Neighborhood Services Manager. “In the past, it was OK to place something in the cart and hope it was recyclable. Today, with the high cost associated with processing and disposing of improper materials — 'wishful recycling' is not a practice that the industry can afford."
Additional features of the campaign will roll out in the coming weeks.
Residents can request a speaker to present information on the city's recycling program to neighborhood associations, church or civic groups by contacting Neighborhood Services at NeighborhoodServices@Germantown-TN.gov or (901) 757-7263.