Zero Waste Pop-Ups & Public Training Programs
2021, December 9 • 12:00pm – 12:30pm – Track B
Moving the needle on zero waste requires effective public outreach and community education. Two strategies show measurable results. Race to Zero Waste fosters community leadership through periodic ZW Pop-Ups in outdoor, publicly accessible spaces in the SF Bay Area. Pop-ups offer a collection point for gently-used items from community partners to directly benefit those in need, and promote community engagement through neighborhood clean-up efforts, public waste diversion, and data collection, enabling R20W to analyze/report on waste collected and engage in further social media outreach. Riverside County’s interactive 3-month program, Zero Waste Hero, offers residents an in-depth look at their current waste generation to uncover recycling and reduction opportunities. With staff assistance, participating households identify low-waste lifestyle changes to make and track progress by reporting on recycling and trash generated in their homes. Both types of engagement can be replicated in other areas and states.
Moderator: Alejandra Warren, Executive Director & Founder, Plastic Free Future
Panelists:
- Hayden Sloan, Strategic Director of Communications, Race to Zero Waste
- Olivia Sanchez, Recycling Program Manager, Riverside County Department of Waste Resources