FLAGSTAFF — Did you know Flagstaff residents and businesses are recycling only 14% of their waste? This is well below the national average of 34% and provides significant opportunity for improvement.
Multiple barriers stand in the way of Flagstaff becoming a recycling leader including confusion over which items are actually recyclable, limited recycling infrastructure, as well as insufficient direct outreach needed to inspire actions of recycling and preventing waste among community members.
In order to become a leader in recycling and waste prevention, the City of Flagstaff has launched a new program called Master Recycler that will train community members to inspire change within the community.
According to Sustainability Specialist, McKenzie Jones, “the most effective way to inspire sustainable behavior change, such as recycling, is through in-person interaction.” Unfortunately, the City has limited staffing and is therefore limited in the amount of time available to provide in-person outreach about recycling and waste prevention throughout the community.
The Master Recycler Program, based on a model used by other communities, will help City staff do just that. Volunteers will attend an in-depth course that features industry experts and introduces them to concepts of sustainable behavior change, fixing and reusing, event recycling, backyard composting, and more. Volunteers will then share their newly acquired knowledge by tabling at community events, presenting to groups in Flagstaff, and implementing projects that increase diversion at their work, school, place of worship, or elsewhere.
The first Master Recycler Course is being offered this spring, over six Wednesdays, from February 8th to March 22nd, 2017. Classes will meet from 6 – 8 pm at the East Flagstaff Library. Interested community members can register and find out more at www.flagstaff.az.gov/masterrecycler or by calling 928-213-2158. Class size is limited to 30 people, so you are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.