Griffin, Georgia to promote mandatory curbside recycling program with CVP
Targeted marketing will focus on routes with fewer recyclables

A study conducted by the state of Georgia found that Georgians are throwing away recyclables at an alarming rate. In fact, the study found that forty percent of what they throw away can actually be recycled. These recyclables are crucial to Georgia’s environment and economic well-being.

To help curb the waste, the city of Griffin, Georgia, and the Curbside Value Partnership (CVP) have teamed up to promote recycling as the easiest way for Griffin residents to minimize their environmental footprint in the state.

Griffin has had a mandatory curbside recycling program since March of 2007. Residents who fail to put their 35 gallon recycling carts out at the curb on the designated pick-up day will forfeit their garbage collection for the day. Recently, city officials noticed that residents on a particular route were setting out their recycling carts along with their garbage carts, but that the recycling carts were only partially full.

“Griffin has the only mandatory curbside program in the state. That is something we fought hard for and are very proud of,” said Phil Francis, director of Central Services for the city of Griffin.

Beginning this October, CVP will work with the city to implement a grassroots communication campaign designed to reach city residents through strategic advertising, participation in local events, a partnership with Keep Spalding-Griffin Beautiful and the Griffin Chamber of Commerce, and media relations. In addition to the city-wide campaign, CVP will develop materials for specific routes with lower recycling tonnages, urging them to “keep up” with the other routes in the city, and tapping in to their competitive spirit.

“Our research indicates that educating residents on the benefits of recycling has the greatest impact on increasing curbside recycling,” said Steve Thompson, program director for CVP.