In January 2010, CVWMA changed its Curbside Recycling Schedule from a tri-fold piece with a magnet to a 6 x 11 inch over-size postcard without a magnet.  Nearly 250,000 curbside recycling customers receive this informational mailer.  We asked customers for feedback about the new design of this educational piece.  The survey link was sent out to approximately 9,000 customers who receive our email reminder service and was posted on the homepage of our website.  In under two months, we received 544 completed surveys. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

At the end of the survey, participants were invited to provide their own comments/suggestions for improvement and getting the word out about recycling.  Over 200 people responded and comments were diverse.  Some of the comments gave thanks and appreciation for CVWMA programs, others expressed dissatisfaction about something (such as not receiving the new schedule, certain plastics not being accepted in the program, and requesting more frequent collections or larger bins).  Some suggestions for getting the word out about recycling included PSAs, more ads, TV, door hangers, mailings/flyers, posters at stores, information in utility bills, contests, billboards, and recycling ambassadors in neighborhoods.

Along with all of CVWMA's programs, curbside recycling is funded by local tax dollars and is designed to be cost-effective for the 7 communities who offer it to their citizens.  In most communities we serve, collection is every other week.  Bins are approximately 18-24 gallons in size. Increasing the collection frequency or providing additional and/or larger bins would increase the cost of the curbside program significantly.  To help reduce costs, CVWMA encourages the use of paper bags and cardboard boxes to hold additional recyclables.  In addition, you can use an alternate container of your choice, up to 40 gallons in size.  Citizens can call the Recycling Hotline at 340-0900 to request free stickers for their alternate containers.

In order to collect an item for recycling, we must have a market and enough volume to sell that particular item.  The manufacturing demand for plastic labeled 3 and higher is low in our area.  CVWMA accepts only narrow-neck plastic bottles with a 1 or 2 on the bottom.  Plastic containers vary a great deal in their chemical compostion, particularly melt temperature and liquid properties. The type of plastic used to make tubs and cups becomes a thin and runny liquid when heated.  The plastic used for bottles becomes stretchable when heated.   So even if the tub or cup is a 1 or 2, it cannot be successfully recycled with the bottles.  Bottle caps are a different plastic and we ask that you remove them and throw them away.  Plastic bags are not accepted at curbside because they can jam up the machinery at the sorting plant, however they can be recycled at local grocery stores.  For more detailed information on plastic recycling, click here.

Conclusions

CVWMA staff is reviewing the comments and survey responses to improve the 2011 Recycling Schedule design, improve recycling in general in central Virginia, and to get the word out about recycling to low participation areas.

For questions about the survey, please contact the public information staff at info@cvwma.com or 359-8413.