Friday, February 20, 2009 Fresno Recognized as Nation’s Recycling Leader
It’s not always lonely at the top -- not when many people contribute to the ascent. That’s certainly the case with the recent accomplishment of Jeffrey Scott Agency’s client-partner, the Solid Waste Management Division of the City of Fresno’s Department of Public Utilities (DPU).
The division reached a lofty milestone when Fresno’s recycling efforts were recently ranked No. 1 in the United States by Men’s Health magazine. The national honor follows a No. 1 state ranking by the California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) for Fresno’s diversion of 71% of its solid waste away from landfills and into the City’s recycling programs.
JSA began working with the solid waste division’s recycling outreach program in 2004, when the City was stuck at a 33% diversion rate. Through an aggressive public awareness campaign, recycling began to take hold in Fresno and the City’s outreach program is now a model for the rest of the state, and nation. But don’t take our word for it. Take it from Senator Barbara Boxer, who wrote to congratulate Fresno’s Solid Waste Division Manager Bill O’Brien:
“This is a well-earned acknowledgment for the City of Fresno’s determined and successful efforts to increase public participation in its recycling program. … With examples such as yours, I hope other communities in California will follow your leadership and help promote participation in recycling so that more people can reap the many benefits of this simple and highly rewarding daily task.”
It took thousands of Fresnans, along with businesses and local government, to move from a 33% diversion rate to the 71% mark. The City is well on its way to reaching the state mandated goal of 75% diversion by 2012 and it will take a continued community effort to meet the ultimate Zero Waste goal. JSA is excited about the challenge and proud to be part of a recycling team that is putting Fresno on the map.
Recycling and living an environmentally friendly lifestyle is easy and rewarding, just remember the three R’s:
• Reduce – Buy wisely and buy less.
• Reuse – Reuse whatever you can and donate good used items to a favorite charity.
• Recycle – Recycle everything you can and buy products that can be recycled.
There are also three easy steps you can take to recycle at work:
• Evaluate Your Waste – Many things thrown away at work can be recycled. The City of Fresno’s recycling staff can evaluate your business and help you formulate a more effective recycling program.
• Create a Recycling Program – The City’s recycling staff also can help you decide which bin and pick-up schedule is right for your company.
• Educate Your Employees and Janitorial Staff – Make sure that everyone knows the policies, procedures and goals of your company’s program.
If you’d like to have a member of the City’s recycling team visit your business call 621-1111. By recycling, your business also will become eligible to win a Mayor’s Business Recycling Award. To learn more about the award and for other recycling information visit www.fresnorecycles.org.
