Leonia Environmental Commission Presentation

1. Leonia
Environmental
Commission
Pay-as-you-throw
Report to Mayor and Council March 19th, 2018

2. Agenda
 Where did we start
 What happened since
 What changed at the curb
 Where should we go from here
2

3.  2016 analysis of recycling in Leonia
 Less than 20% of what is being put on the curb is recycled.
 May 2017: The Environmental Commission proposes “Pay
as you Throw” to the Mayor & Council
 PAYT is practiced in hundreds of towns across the country
and is a proven way to dramatically increase recycling,
reduce tipping fees and, if desired, increase municipal
revenue.
 Response by the public was mixed with many supporters
but also some vocal dissent. Many residents had not
enough information to form an opinion.
 We agreed to provide more education and return to the
M&C with the results of this effort.
3
Where did we start

4. What happened since
 Between the Environmental Commission and the Leonia
Action Alliance, we conducted over a dozen educational
events and outreach activities.
 With the help of the borough administration, we gathered
more data about apartment complexes which make up a
significant portion of the housing stock in Leonia.
 Youth group such as the girl scouts and the boy scouts have
come forward and are demanding action to reduce our
footprint of waste in our town.
 The school districts has moved to ban Styrofoam from the
schools and an ordinance to extend this to Leonia is making
its way through the legislative process
 With the help of the Mayor & Council, we distributed
hundreds of recycling pails in Leonia.
4

5. 5

6. What changed at the curb
 In a word or two: not much
2016 Average of curb recycling: 19.0%
2017 Average of curb recycling: 19.5%
6
Recent example of Tuesday Garbage of two comparable Households in Leonia

7. Where should we go from
here
 Pay as you throw is the only feasible way to materially
improve recycling in Leonia.
 Education and hoping for change has proven ineffective.
 The next generation is demanding change and we have
a responsibility to act.
 The Environmental Commission is looking for support
and courage from the Mayor & Council and is prepared
to come back with a specific proposal to enact Pay as
you throw including:
 Options to implement tax neutral or revenue generating
 A plan for education and outreach
 Operational details on the rollout
7

8. Appendix
8

9. Detailed Tonnage Data
9

10. July 22,
2012
Footer text here 10

11. Education and Outreach
 Climate March
 New flyers on recycling
 Listserv: extensive discussion and education
 PAYT article in the Bergen Record
 Leonia Day: table and education
 Free recycling pails: multiple distributions with education
 Repainting of recycling pails on brad avenue
 National Night Out: table and education
 Styrofoam drive
 Styrofoam survey with the stores in town
 School Outreach: interactive demonstration at ACS
 Presentation at the Rotary Club
 Participation at the Wellness at the Middle School
 Upcoming:
 composting education and recycling education with the library
 Next Styrofoam drive
 Plastic bag recycling
11